Drivers know better but still engage in unsafe driving habits such as texting and driving, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In its recently released report on traffic safety culture, the AAA identified ongoing behavior that increases the likelihood of car accidents.
The AAA’s report, compiling national data from Sept. 6 to Oct. 8, 2019, identifies the gap between motorists’ knowledge and their reported driving habits. Drivers admitted to distracted, aggressive, impaired, and other reckless driving within 30 days of the survey even though they were aware that it was dangerous. Even more disturbing, motorists who were involved in at least one crash within the last two years were more likely to engage in distracted and other aggressive driving behavior such as speeding.
Although overwhelming majorities of drivers agree that distracted driving is dangerous and support laws against behavior such as using a cell phone and driving, 43.2 percent of motorists admitted that they drove while talking on a hand-held cellphone in the past 30 days. A smaller number, 38.6 percent, reported that they read while they drove while 29.3 percent typed a text or email on a handheld cellphone.
Likewise, 55.1 percent of drivers said that speeding on a driveway was dangerous and 64 percent felt that this was dangerous on residential streets. Yet, 48.2 percent of motorists admitted to driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit on a highway within the last 30 days.
Almost 96 percent of drivers agree that fatigued driving is very or extremely dangerous and 97 percent disapprove of it. But 24 percent of motorists admitted to driving while they were so drowsy that they had trouble keeping their eyes open.
Drunk driving data is also alarming. At least 94 percent of drivers said that drinking before driving was very or extremely dangerous. Yet 10 percent reported to do this within the last 30 days.
You may be entitled to compensation for losses suffered in an accident caused by a reckless driver. An attorney can help you obtain evidence and pursue this right.