We all know there are certain things we shouldn’t be doing behind the wheel, but that doesn’t stop a lot of us. And worse, a new study shows that even if that behavior causes an accident, it isn’t likely to stop most people.
The new AAA survey finds:
- Drivers who have had at least one car crash in the past two years are way more likely to continue their risky driving behavior, whether it’s speeding, texting or more.
- And they’re still likely to do it even if they think they may get caught by police.
The study finds that in the past month:
- 50% of drivers who’ve had a recent crash say they’ve talked on a hand-held device while driving, something only 42% of people who haven’t been in a crash have done.
- 43% of those who’ve had a crash have texted while driving, as compared to 27% who haven’t had an accident.
- 39% of those who’ve had a crash have run a red light, vs. 30% who haven’t crashed.
- Overall, drivers consider driving while so tired you can’t keep your eyes open and driving while typing a text or email to be the most dangerous behaviors behind the wheel (96% each).
- Yet it still doesn’t stop a lot from doing it, with 43.7% of people admitting to reading (43.7%) or typing (42.7%) a text message even if they think they’ll get caught by police.
- On a positive note, in the past two years, drivers who talk on a hand-held device decreased from 52.1% to 43.2%.
Source:AAA