Study Finds Drivers Have “Do As I Say, Not As I Do” Attitude

Distracted driving remains a growing concern on the nation’s roads. A recent survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that motorists recognize the danger, but continue to engage in distracting and risky behaviors behind the wheel.

The Foundation’s 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index confirms a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude remains prevalent when it comes to cell phone use while driving. Specifically:

• 89 percent of drivers said they consider talking on a cell phone while driving to be a serious threat to their personal safety (up from 88 percent in 2011).
  • However, 69 percent say they have talked on a cell phone while driving in the past month, (up from 67 percent in 2011).
• 95 percent of drivers consider other drivers text messaging or emailing while driving to be a serious threat to their personal safety (same as 2011).
  • However, 35 percent admitted to reading a text or email and 27 percent reported sending a text or email while driving in the past month (same as 2011).
• 90 percent believe that distracted driving is a bigger problem than it was three years ago.

“More work is clearly needed to educate motorists on the risks associated with using a cell phone while driving, especially given that most Americans believe this problem is becoming worse,” said President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Peter Kissinger.

Driver use of cell phones impairs reaction times and roughly quadruples crash risk. Additionally, more than 3,000 people are killed and nearly 500,000 are injured each year in crashes involving distraction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Motorists who use cell phones while driving are also more likely to engage in additional risky behaviors. Of those who reported using their cell phone during the past month:

• 65 percent also reported speeding
• 44 percent also reported driving while drowsy
• 53 percent also reported sending a text or email
• 29 percent also drove without a seatbelt

Young drivers have the highest crash rate of any age group, and, according to the survey, 16- to-24-year-old drivers are also more likely to be distracted behind the wheel. Of these drivers:

• 61 percent reported to having read a text or email while driving during the past month.
• 26 percent reported checking or updating social media while driving in the past month.

Ohio’s new texting while driving law, which took effect Aug. 31, 2012, addresses distractions among young drivers. The law bans minors from using all hand-held electronic devices behind the wheel.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index is a nationally representative, probability-based survey of 3,896 U.S. residents ages 16 and older. The sample is representative of all U.S. households reachable by telephone or regular mail. The AAA Foundation provides additional details in the 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index and as a part of a report called Distracted and Risk-Prone Drivers.