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AAA: New Distracted Driving Study – Same Old Story

Drivers continue to believe the “Other Guy” is the problem

03/29/18
Automotive

Voorhees, NJ, March, 29 2018 – April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a new AAA Foundation survey indicates that almost all drivers are already aware of the problem -- and fear it is getting worse.

The annual Traffic Safety Culture Index survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that 88 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is on the rise, topping other risky behaviors like:

  • Aggressive driving: 68 percent
  • Drivers using drugs: 55 percent
  • Drunk driving: 43 percent

 

A Disturbing Trend

The proportion of drivers who report talking on a cell phone regularly or fairly often when behind the wheel jumped 46 percent since 2013.

Almost half of all drivers (49 percent) report recently talking on a hand-held phone while driving and nearly 35 percent have sent a text or email. Despite their own behavior, most drivers (nearly 58 percent) say talking on a cellphone behind the wheel is a very serious threat to their personal safety, while 78 percent believe that texting is a significant danger.

“What we have seen year after year is this ‘do as I say not as I do’ behavior. A sense that ‘I can text but you can’t’, which is extremely troubling,” said Rich Bradley, spokesperson for AAA South Jersey.

Drivers in the AAA survey believe the problem of distracted driving has increased over the past three years, with nearly 50 percent reporting that they regularly see drivers emailing or texting while driving. Although federal estimates indicate the number of distracted driving crashes has actually dropped two percent, that number is likely erroneous given that distracted driving is difficult to detect following a crash, which makes it one of the most under reported traffic safety issues. 

AAA Survey of New Jersey Drivers

The AAA Clubs of New Jersey recently conducted a telephone survey of 600 New Jersey motorists asking about their driving habits. 

“One of the most surprising results was that a near unanimous number of New Jersey respondents (94 percent) said they believe other drivers are very or somewhat distracted when using either a hand-held phone or a hands-free device to talk or text,” said Bradley. “But only 41 percent admit to feeling distracted themselves while texting and driving.”

Survey Findings:

  • 94 percent thought other drivers were very or somewhat distracted while texting and driving
  • 41 percent feel distracted when they text and drive
  • 51 percent DO NOT text and drive (compared to 69 percent in 2016)
  • 57 percent say they take measures not to use their cells phones while driving
  • 89 percent feel other drivers are distracted when talking on a cell phone and driving
  • 38 percent believe that they are distracted while talking on a cell phone and driving.

When New Jersey motorists were asked to rank distractions, the top distractions were those that required the driver to look away from the road or take their hands away from the steering wheel. AAA research has found that the cognitive distraction of a conversation and using technology is more dangerous than first thought, and may distract drivers up to 27 seconds after they hang up the phone. While driver infotainment systems – those in-vehicle systems that allow drivers to access the inter­net and other functions – have become more popular in new vehicles, the cognitive distraction remains the same despite some drivers’ belief to the contrary.

Texting/emailing and reading while driving are seen as the big­gest distractions to drivers on New Jersey roads.

Tips for Safe Driving

  • As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while you’re behind the wheel.
  • Store loose gear, possessions or other distractions that could roll around in the car so you don’t feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
  • Put aside your electronic devices. DO NOT use cellphones while driving – handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies.
  • Make vehicle adjustments before you begin your trip – address vehicle systems like GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems – before hitting the road.

The new survey results are part of the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, which identifies attitudes and behaviors related to traffic safety. The survey data are from a sample of 2,613 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The AAA Foundation issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008, and the latest report is online at www.AAAFoundation.org.

Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, publicly-supported charitable educational and research organization. Dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads, the Foundation’s mission is to prevent crashes and save lives through research and education about traffic safety. The Foundation has funded over 300 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them and minimize injuries when they do occur.  Visit www.AAAFoundation.org for more information on this and other research.