The Deadly Trio on U.S. Roads - Speeding, Distractions, and Aggression

AAA Survey Finds “Most Dangerous” Drivers on the Road More Frequently


WALNUT CREEK, CA. (December 5, 2024)— In 2023, nearly 41,000 people were killed in U.S. traffic crashes, a sobering reminder of the ongoing public health crisis on our roads. Despite a slight decrease from the previous year, the threat posed by risky driving behaviors remains alarmingly high.

A new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illuminates this issue by categorizing drivers based on their self-reported risky behaviors. Speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving have emerged as the most prevalent dangerous habits.

The annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) survey has identified five distinct driver profiles:

1. Safe Drivers: Rarely engage in risky behaviors – 34.9%
2. Distracted Drivers: Primarily engage in all distracted driving behaviors – 19%
3. Speeding Drivers: Primarily engage in speeding behaviors – 32.6%
4. Distracted and Aggressive Drivers: Engage in distracted and aggressive driving – 11%
5. Most Dangerous Drivers: Engage in all risky driving behaviors – 2.5%

The survey asked drivers about their perceived level of danger for various driving behaviors, with most drivers saying unsafe driving behaviors are very or extremely dangerous. Yet, many have admitted to doing these dangerous behaviors at least once in the previous 30 days.
“With nearly 41,000 lives lost last year, we need to shift the 'do as I say, not as I do,' mentality on our roads,” says John Treanor, spokesperson with AAA Northern California.  “Addressing risky behaviors like speeding is key to making our roads safer for everyone.”

According to the study, safe drivers admitted to driving less, while Most Dangerous Drivers, who admit to speeding, distracting, and impaired behaviors, logged more miles on the road.

Key Findings 
Distracted Driving: 

• Most drivers (93%) recognize the dangers of texting, emailing, and reading while driving. • However, many drivers reported sending a text/email (27%), reading a text/email (37%),  or holding and talking on a phone (36%) while driving in the past 30 days. 

Aggressive Driving and Speeding: 

• Most drivers perceive aggressive driving (89%) and running red lights (81%) as  dangerous. Yet 27% ran at least one red light in the previous 30 days. 
• Nearly half (49%) admitted to driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit on a freeway at least once in the past 30 days, while 36% of drivers reported driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit on a residential street. 

Drowsy Driving: 

• Most drivers (96%) recognize the dangers of drowsy driving, but 20% admitted to driving  while drowsy in the previous 30 days. 

Impaired Driving: 

• Drivers overwhelmingly perceive drunk driving as dangerous (95%) and socially  unacceptable. Yet 7% admitted engaging in this behavior in the previous 30 days.

The AAA Foundation’s annual TSCI survey has been a decade-long deep dive into driver behavior. As traffic dangers rise, the latest TSCI offers crucial insights into driver attitudes and risky habits, guiding the development of life-saving safety measures. 
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA MWG delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA MWG is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

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