Orlando Drivers Increase Collision Risks Despite Known Dangers
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released its seventh report on driver behaviors and attitudes. Like the past reports before it, the new data shows that the majority of drivers are aware of the types of behaviors that can lead to motor vehicle collisions in Orlando, Winter Park, FL and surrounding areas and throughout the United States. Yet, despite knowing about what behaviors are high-risk and even supporting laws to prevent those behaviors, far too many drivers also report doing dangerous things behind the wheel.
When a driver engages in negligent behaviors or breaks the rules of the road, victims of a resulting crash can seek compensation for losses. An Orlando personal injury lawyer can help those who have been harmed to pursue a damage claim for their losses.
Drivers Don’t Follow Their Own Safety Rules
Drivers responding to the AAA Survey were asked about whether they believed certain behaviors to be dangerous or unacceptable while driving. Most motorists expressed concerns about the high risk behaviors that can lead to collisions. For example:
- 45 percent of drivers said drowsy driving was a serious safety threat and 81.3 percent said that it was an unacceptable risk.
- 78.6 percent of drivers said texting/emailing was a serious safety threat and 84.4 percent said i was an unacceptable risk.
- 45.2 percent of drivers said that going 10 or more miles per hour above a residential speed limit was a serious safety threat and 64.6 percent said it was an unacceptable risk.
- 54.7 percent of drivers said running red lights was a serious safety threat and 72.7 percent said it was an unacceptable risk.
With so many drivers indicating these behaviors are unacceptable, it comes as a surprise just how many of the same motorists admit to engaging in the behaviors personally. For example:
- 35.6 percent of drivers said they had run a red light in the prior 30 days before answering the AAA survey.
- 43.5 percent of drivers had been speeding in the 30 days before the survey.
- 27.1 percent of drivers had been typing on their phones to send a text or email.
- 36.1 percent had received and read a text or email while driving.
- 29.4 percent had been drowsy in the past 30 days while continuing to drive.
Drivers not only believe that the behaviors they are engaging in are dangerous; they actually support laws to prevent them. A total of 89.3 percent of drivers said a texting ban was appropriate.
The fact that drivers know the behaviors are dangerous and continue to do them anyway suggests that public education alone is not going to solve the problem of motor vehicle collisions. Drivers need to actually practice their own beliefs and not do things they know are unsafe.
Most drivers know someone who has been personally affected by a motor vehicle collision. One in three drivers knows someone who was seriously hurt or killed in a crash. One in five has been in a serious accident personally and one in 10 has suffered serious injuries in a crash. Drivers know the stakes, and they should start making safer choices.
Central Florida accident victims and families who lost loved ones can contact Orlando personal injury attorney Richard B. Troutman by calling 866-434-5770. Serving Orlando, Winter Park, FL and surrounding areas.
