UNDATED, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — New data released from a study by Liberty Mutual Insurance indicates that almost half of all surveyed Americans drive dangerously than Western Europeans.
In a study of 3,006 Americans, 67% reported using a cell phone in a way that distracts from the road while driving. The number is higher for those in the Millennial demographic at 86%.
Almost 40% of drivers report speeding as a result of being late or having poor time management. This leads to other risky behaviors, such as ignoring stop signs.
“The people in our driving community must understand that these handheld devices, any other distractions, and our dangerous driving must stop,” Kalamazoo Sheriff Richard Fuller said. “We have to put the devices down, we have to slow down, we have to respect one another and drive more appropriately.”
As a result of the data findings, Liberty Mutual Insurance representative Mike Sample is offering the following tips to minimize road crashes –
- Avoid the Phone: In the survey, two-thirds of U.S. Millennials (67%) admitted to keeping their phone visible while driving. Drivers should make it a habit to put their phone somewhere out of sight like the glove box or trunk, or activate the Do Not Disturb feature, to avoid the temptation to reach for it. No matter how much driving experience someone has, their field of vision is decreased when using their phone. Drivers should always pull over to a safe location and put their car in park before using it to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.
- Plan Ahead: Running late often leads to speeding but going even 10 MPH over the limit greatly increases risk behind the wheel. It takes the driver longer to stop the car and react to changes on the road. Drivers should plan to leave the house 10 minutes early to avoid feeling the need to speed. Leaving early allows the driver to drive safely while also arriving at their destination with a clear, relaxed mind.
- Practice Defensive Driving: It’s important to stay aware of what other drivers are doing and be ready to react. To help do so, drivers should leave 1-second of following distance for every ten miles an hour. That means if a driver is going 55 MPH they should leave 6 seconds of following distance between them and the car in front of them, so if something happens, they have time to react or stop.
The driver survey was originally conducted in April 2019.
