BOISE, Idaho — According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 4 in 10 drivers surveyed across the nation reported habits that classified them in the "Safe Drivers" category. Every year, the AAA Foundation's Traffic Safety Culture Index studies "driver attitudes about several dangerous behaviors and willingness to engage in them," AAA said.
Nearly a quarter of surveyed drivers admitted to behaviors that put them in the "Speeding Drivers" category - whereas 17% of drivers fell in the "Distracted and Aggressive Drivers" category. "Distracted Drivers" made up 15%.
The "Most Dangerous Drivers" category had the smallest number of drivers at just 5%. However, the small portion still poses serious risk to themselves and others, AAA said.
"Thankfully, less than 5% of all survey respondents fell into the Most Dangerous Driver and Impaired Driver groups, but any kind of risky driving leads to slower reaction times and faster impact speeds. We can do more to prevent injury and loss of life," AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde said. "Please work on breaking any bad driving habits this holiday season. One of the best gifts you can give this time of year is making sure everyone stays safe."
According to AAA, on average, drivers in categories: Distract Driver, Distracted and Aggressive, and Most Dangerous Driver, were 40 years of age - which is about 13 years younger than members of other groups.
Male drivers made up 60% of both Speeding and Most Dangerous Drivers, and 57% of Safe Drivers were females.
"It's possible that younger drivers with fewer family commitments and obligations have a different perspective on how risky their driving really is," Conde said. "Regardless of your stage of life, please consider the consequences of your actions behind the wheel."
Dangerous Driving by the Numbers:
(According to AAA data)
Distracted driving - almost 93% of drivers view using their cell phones to text or email as very or extremely dangerous, however 27% reported to use their phone in the previous 30 days, and 38% reported holding and talking on the phone, AAA said. In Idaho, according to Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), distracted driving made up 17% of all crashes in Idaho, and 16% of all traffic deaths.
Aggressive driving and speeding - 83% of survey respondents said that driving through a red light was very or extremely dangerous, said AAA, while 89% believed that switching lanes quickly or tailgating other cars was very or extremely dangerous. AAA continued by saying that 63% believed that they would be caught if they drove 15 miles per hour over the speed limit on a freeway, and approximately half of them admitted to doing so in the past 30 days before the survey. ITD reports that aggressive driving was a contributing factor in 51% of Idaho crashes last year, causing 81 fatalities and 600 serious injuries.
"Speeding isn't as effective as we think it is," Conde said. "You would have to drive 100 miles at 80 mph instead of 75 mph just to shave five minutes off your trip."
Drowsy driving - 95% of surveyed drivers view driving while tired to be very or extremely dangerous, yet 18% reported to do so in the previous 30 days before the survey. Drowsy driving was a factor in 5% of all single-vehicle crashes in Idaho, but ITD says it can be difficult to determine that after the fact.
Impaired Driving - 94% of surveyed drivers consider driving after drinking to be very or extremely dangerous, yet 7% reported to do so in the past month. Only 85% expressed the same reservations about driving under the influence of alcohol or medications.
"Like alcohol, some medications have the ability to cause drowsiness, impair judgment, and slow reaction time," Conde said. "Please ask your doctor and pharmacist how the medications you use may affect your driving, including how combinations of prescriptions may affect you."
In 2022, 51% of all Idaho crash fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash, AAA said.
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