According to a recent survey, an overwhelming majority of drivers across the country are engaging in reckless driving habits while on the nation’s roadways. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently surveyed 2,442 drivers ages 16 and over who were licensed and who had driven within the past month. Out of those surveyed, approximately 87 percent admitted to performing at least one reckless driving behavior in the past month. This statistic is alarmingly high, and many officials believe there is a direct correlation between reckless driving and fatal motor vehicle accidents. In 2014, 33,000 Americans were killed in automobile accidents. Due to an increase in reckless driving habits, the total number of car accident deaths is expected to increase nine percent in 2016. Additionally, one in three drivers across the country have a friend or family member who sustained a serious injury or who was killed in an automobile accident, and one in five drivers have been in an automobile accident that sent someone to the hospital. Many of these fatal, or near fatal accidents were the result of reckless driving.
Reckless Driving Habits
The foundation surveyed drivers about their recent driving habits, and many drivers admitted to engaging in one or more of the following reckless driving behaviors:- Distracted driving, including having a cell phone conversation, texting, or reading and sending emails.
- Drowsy driving, where it is hard to keep one’s eyes open while driving.
- Impaired driving, including driving with a blood alcohol concentration near, at, or over the legal limit.
- Speeding on residential roadways or highways.
- Ignoring traffic signals, such as running red lights.
- Failing to use safety devices, including irregular seatbelt usage.
