The Surprising Number of Dangerous Drivers on the Roads

You may mostly associate dangerous driving behaviors with young and inexperienced drivers. Teenagers and other new drivers tend to not fully recognize the risks of certain acts on the road, such as texting or otherwise violating traffic laws. Speeding, running traffic signals, and not wearing a seat belt may seem like a rush to them – not a threat to themselves and everyone else on the road.

A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety1 researched the demographics of drivers who admit to engaging in dangerous behaviors. It turns out that drivers younger than 24 do engage in certain negligent behaviors more often than others – specifically, texting, running a red light, or speeding. In fact, 88 percent of this age group admitted to engaging in at least one of the three. However, this age group is by far not the only one that can be dangerous on the roads.

For example:

• 46 percent of drivers across all age groups admitted to traveling at least 15 miles per hour above the speed limit on a highway in the last 30 days.
• 29 percent of all drivers admitted to recently driving while being so exhausted they were worried they would fall asleep.
• 31 percent of drivers have emailed or texted behind the wheel in the previous month.

Even the age group that may be considered the most cautious – above age 60 – admitted to some risky driving behaviors. In the over-75 group, 37 percent of people admitted to running a stoplight that turned red. For driver ages 60 to 74, 10 percent have emailed or texted while driving. This goes to show that younger drivers are not the only ones who engage in risky behaviors.

There is Hope for Safe Drivers

There were some encouraging results from the study, as well, indicating that there are many driving behaviors that the majority of drivers find to be unacceptable. These behaviors include:

• Driving over (or even close to) the legal limit for alcohol
• Driving after using marijuana or illegal drugs
• Not wearing a seat belt
• Not wearing a motorcycle helmet

Studies like this one indicate that while most drivers say they appreciate safety, they also commonly make dangerous decisions that can put you at the risk of an accident and serious injuries. If you have been in a crash because of a negligent driver, you should call an experienced attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights.

Contact an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney if You have been Injured

At the Fountain Law Firm, P.C., we have successfully helped many auto accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries and related losses. To make sure that you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled, it is important to have an experienced car crash attorney handling your case. Attorney Merry Fountain can help you today by meeting in her office or by meeting in your home. Call Merry Fountain anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878) for a free consultation.

[1]http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-dangerous-drivers-20170215-story.html