Nationwide survey shows startling number of Americans guilty of DWD
Culture of multitasking spreading to the roads, leading many to “Drive While Distracted”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2007
Contacts:
Charley Gillespie 614-249-5701
gillesc1@nationwide.com
Elizabeth Stelzer 614-249-1025
stelzee@nationwide.com
Columbus, Ohio— You’ve seen them in your rear view mirror or in the car next to you. Sometimes they’re putting on makeup while steering with their knees, punching text messages into a phone without ever looking up at the road, or using a BlackBerry to read e-mail with one hand and steering with a cup of coffee in the other. Or, perhaps you’ve seen – or even done – worse.
A new survey by Nationwide Mutual Insurance shows “Driving While Distracted” (DWD) is quite prevalent among today’s drivers and more dangerous than you might think. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says distracted drivers account for almost 80 percent of all crashes in the U.S. As found by Nationwide’s survey, even those who perceive themselves as safe drivers admit to doing outlandish things behind the wheel, including changing clothes, balancing a checkbook and shaving.
“We are a nation of people with too much to do and too little time. In fact, more than 80 percent of drivers surveyed identified themselves as multitaskers,” said Bill Windsor, associate vice president of Safety at Nationwide. “However, driving requires significant attention. Multitasking while behind the wheel poses a threat to you and your fellow drivers.”
According to the survey of 1,200 Americans, 83 percent of those polled believe they are safe drivers and 59 percent don’t consider themselves distracted drivers. However, 73 percent talk on cell phones, only 16 percent drive at or below the speed limit, and 38 percent admit they have driven a certain distance without any recollection of doing so.
Key findings include:
• DWD Generation: Gen Y-ers are the guiltiest of driving while distracted, with 35 percent admitting to always multitasking in the car. 30 percent of Gen X-ers and 21 percent of Baby Boomers confess to the same. Technology is one of the greatest DWD culprits for Gen Y – 37 percent of this age group admitted to texting or IM-ing while driving, as compared to 17 percent of Gen X and 2 percent of Baby Boomers.
• Service With the Seatbelt On: 62 percent of respondents use drive-thru services at least once a week. Use of drive-thru services varies significantly across generations with 45 percent of Gen Y-ers and 48 percent of Gen X-ers preferring to drive-through as compared to only 28 percent of Baby Boomers.
• Fast Food Nation: Only food trumped technology in household conveniences drivers would like in their cars with 31 percent wanting a fridge and 29 percent wanting Internet access. Eating habits in cars also varied across generations – 73 percent of Gen Y-ers eat snacks in the car and 48 percent eat full meals. In contrast, 42 percent of Baby Boomers say they don’t eat snacks while driving and even more – 71 percent – say they don’t eat meals while driving.
• Going ZZZ mph: Nearly three out of four of participants admit to driving while less than alert. To stay awake, 81 percent roll the window down, 79 percent play loud music and 69 percent drink anything with caffeine.
• Just Like the Mailman: Snow, sleet or rain doesn’t prevent drivers from multitasking in the car. More than a third of those who admit to daydreaming, fixing their hair, talking on their cell phone, sending texts, checking their BlackBerry or reading, say they do it regardless of weather conditions.
• Regional Rage: New York is known for its toughness but road rage isn’t more common up north. 25 percent of Northeasterners admit to having road rage but so do 26 percent of Southerners and 21 percent of western respondents. Beyond geography, more women than men experience road rage, with Gen Y women having the most road rage.
• Disturbing DUI: 5 percent of those surveyed admit they drive drunk. While this number may seem small, it adds up to approximately 60 people – and those are just participants who admitted doing so. 4 percent drive with an open container of alcohol.
“More than half of respondents drive at least one hour a day. Clearly, Americans are on the go but they don’t drive nearly as safely as they should,” said Windsor. “Even though we have ever-increasing demands on our time and more technology, we need to make an effort, when behind the wheel, to focus on driving.”
What exactly do people do behind the wheel? According to the survey, 31 percent of respondents say they daydream; 23 percent experience road rage; 19 percent fix their hair, text or instant message; 14 percent comfort or discipline children; and 8 percent drive with a pet in their lap.
Other multitasking efforts drivers admit to doing include:
• Changing seats with passengers
• Reading a book
• Watching a movie
• Writing a grocery list
• Nursing a baby
• Putting in contact lenses
Methodology:
A total of 1,200 surveys were completed between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20,
2006, among a national sample via MarketVision Research’s proprietary
internet platform, Viewpoint Forum. All respondents were required to be
between the ages of 18 and 60 and drive a car. Nationwide was not
identified as the sponsor. The survey has +/- 4.5 percent margin of
error.
Safety tips to avoid DWD
Nationwide’s Associate Vice President of Safety Bill Windsor offers tips to keep from “Driving While Distracted”
Safety tips:
- Keep 100% of your attention on driving at all times.
- Drive defensively—be aware of what others around you are doing and expect the unexpected.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
- Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks and making necessary phone calls or other business.
- Adjust your seat, mirrors, and climate controls before putting the car in gear.
- Pre-program your favorite radio stations and pre-load your CDs before leaving.
- Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel and take a break if you find yourself lost in thought or have difficulty focusing on the road ahead.
- Don’t use a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving. If you have to make a call, keep it short and always avoid stressful or emotional conversations.
- Secure cargo that may move around while the vehicle is in motion. Don’t attempt to retrieve items that fall to the floor.
- Pull over to eat or drink, it only takes a few minutes. If you have to eat while driving, select easy-to-eat foods and a spill proof cup.
- Have items needed within easy reach: toll fees, toll cards, garage passes, etc.
- Give yourself time to react. Keep a two second cushion between you and the car in front of you—four seconds if the weather is bad.
- Don’t speed—it gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.
- And, of course, always wear your seat belt and drive sober and drug-free.
About Nationwide:
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more
than $158 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #98 on the Fortune
100 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and
financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life,
commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages,
mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information,
visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide and the Nationwide Framemark are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. On Your Side is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
