Bill OBoyle: AAA says risky driving increasing
Dec. 11—We have dedicated much space to the perils of risky driving, whether it be distracted driving, impaired driving or road rage.
The point is, with statistics climbing, it has got to stop — or at the very least decline.
But, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the opposite is true — risky driving is increasing and, even more difficult to believe, those risky drivers know their behavior is wrong.
Talk about a conundrum.
AAA puts it best — risky driving behavior is going in reverse. After years of improvement, new research shows a troubling increase in admitted risky driving.
Get that? "Admitted" risky driving.
A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving and driving impaired on cannabis or alcohol, rose from 2020 to 2021.
The most alarming increase was among drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit — an increase of nearly 24%.
According to new survey data in the AAA Foundation's annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, this is a reversal in the steady declines in these dangerous driving behaviors in the three years from 2018 through 2020.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AAA says traffic fatalities have risen. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year — a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020.
According to NHTSA, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, alcohol impairment, and non-use of seatbelts account for a considerable proportion of the increased fatalities.
Accordingly, AAA urges drivers to keep everyone safe on the roads and warns motorists against falling back into dangerous driving habits.
"The increase in the number of U.S. drivers engaging in risky driving behavior is troubling," said Jana Tidwell, Public and Government Affairs Manager at AAA Mid-Atlantic. "While drivers consistently acknowledge that certain risky behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and driving impaired, are not safe, many still engage in these activities anyway."
Let me make this clear — these drivers acknowledge that these practices are unsafe, but they do it anyway.
As in previous years, drivers reported too often engaging in risky behaviors that they know are dangerous and would meet with disapproval from friends or family. For example:
Texting while driving
—92% think it's very or extremely dangerous
—96% think someone important to them would disapprove
Yet, 26% admit to doing it in the last 30 days.
Aggressive driving
—88% think it's very or extremely dangerous
—96% think someone important to them would disapprove
Yet, 23% admit to doing it in the last 30 days.
Impaired driving
—94% believe driving after drinking enough alcohol (to the point one considers they might be over the legal limit) to be very or extremely dangerous
Yet, 7% admit to engaging in this behavior in the past 30 days.
—65% of drivers feel driving, within an hour, of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous
—93% believe people important to them would disapprove of the behavior
The AAA report shows that nearly three in four drivers supported making it illegal to drive with any drug (not legally prescribed) in one's system.
"The privilege of driving comes with great responsibility, which some motorists are not taking seriously," said Tidwell.
AAA's Traffic Safety Culture Index illustrates a clear disconnect when it comes to impaired driving and the perception that marijuana use and driving is less dangerous than drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel.
"We must be aware of the serious consequences of all dangerous driving behaviors and change course," Tidwell added.
The purpose of the Traffic Safety Culture survey is to better understand drivers' perceptions and attitudes toward risky behaviors, so we can work together to find the best possible way to address those issues and reduce crashes.
"With nearly 43,000 fatal crashes nationwide every year, we've got to do everything we can to save more lives." Tidwell said.
Now isn't that enough to motivate people to be more responsible?
You would think, right?
In Pennsylvania according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) 1,230 people lost their lives on Pennsylvania roadways in 2021 — the highest number since 2012 and up 9% compared to 2020.
AAA recommends these safety tips:
—Out of sight, out of mind. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate call/text blocking features.
—Slow down. Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding.
—Stay alert. Stop driving if you become sleepy because you can fall asleep anytime.
—Drive sober. If you consume marijuana or alcohol, then don't drive.
—Buckle your seat belt for every ride.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
