Through the early months of the pandemic, did you discover extra quick vehicles on the highway? (And, be sincere: Did you step on the gasoline your self when the roads had been much less busy?)
The development is noticeable – and several other nationwide freeway security organizations agree. Some teams, such because the Governors Freeway Security Affiliation, are actually sounding the alarm concerning the enhance and launching applications to fight it.
Earlier in 2021, we surveyed 500 U.S. drivers to gauge their attitudes and behaviors concerning dashing. Preserve studying to see what we discovered.
Life within the Quick Lane
One in 10 of all drivers (11%) admitted to driving at excessive speeds – that’s 20 mph or extra over the pace restrict far more usually than regular throughout the early months of the pandemic.
Males had been nearly twice as possible (14%) as girls (8%) to say they drove at excessive speeds far more usually than regular.
Whereas all of us prefer to shave a couple of minutes off the GPS arrival time, dashing is a harmful behavior. In line with the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security, excessive speeds make deadly automobile crashes extra possible. Why? As a result of at excessive speeds, it takes longer to cease – or to no less than decelerate sufficient – for a crash to be survivable. Crash power will increase exponentially as speeds go up.
Right here’s a sobering quantity from the IIHS: One in 4 crash fatalities may be attributed to somebody driving too quick. In 2019, the latest 12 months for which knowledge can be found, greater than 9,000 deaths occurred in speed-related crashes.
Why Do Drivers Pace?
Again to our survey. Why are we in such a rush – and what did COVID-19 should do with it? We requested drivers why they sped far more usually than regular early within the pandemic. Listed here are the 5 hottest causes:
- 66%: The roads weren’t congested, so I felt it was secure to drive sooner than posted pace restrict.
- 46%: I’m driver, so I felt I might drive safely, even at excessive speeds.
- 34%: It appeared like there was far much less regulation enforcement out, so I felt I might pace with out getting a ticket.
- 25%: Normally, I believe posted pace limits are slower than essential and I choose to drive sooner.
- 17%: The empty roads had been alternative to see how briskly my automobile might go.
Can Higher Street Design Kick Dashing to the Curb?
Our survey additionally requested drivers about so-called “site visitors calming” measures. In style ways embody lane narrowing and chicanes, that are deliberate curves put into an in any other case straight highway. A slim highway with curves may be safer as a result of drivers should pay extra consideration and drive extra slowly than they do on a large, straight one the place it’s simpler to hurry.
Nevertheless, most drivers surveyed assumed the alternative:
- 69% of drivers mentioned straight, broad roads are usually safer
- 13% of drivers mentioned slim, curved roads are safer.
- The remaining weren’t certain.
For full survey outcomes, take a look at our infographic on the backside of the article.
Learn extra: I bought a dashing ticket. Now what?
In case you are usually considerably of a lead foot and end up with a dashing violation, it’s good to understand how a dashing ticket might have an effect on your insurance coverage – whether or not it’s your first violation or not.
Additionally, a number of automakers proceed to introduce new applied sciences to assist make your automobile smarter — and safer.
Erie Insurance coverage is doing our half to assist enhance driver security, one journey at a time. You possibly can change into a safer driver and have the prospect to earn some nice rewards with YourTurn. Attain out to an Erie Insurance coverage agent to study extra.
Present textual content model
Conceal textual content model
Website URL: www.erieinsurance.com/weblog/speeding-survey
Infographic URL:
Drivers Spill the Tea on Dashing.
In line with the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security, excessive speeds make deadly automobile crashes extra possible. As these security organizations observed a rise in dashing early within the pandemic and look to launch extra applications to cease it, Erie Insurance coverage commissioned a nationwide survey to gauge drivers’ attitudes and behaviors in the direction of dashing.
One in 10 drivers admitted to driving at excessive speeds (20 mph or extra over the pace restrict) throughout the early months of the pandemic.
Why’d they do it?
The roads weren’t congested so that they felt it was secure to drive sooner than posted pace limits 66%
They’re good drivers so felt they may drive safely, even at excessive speeds46%
It appeared like there was far much less regulation enforcement out, so that they felt they may pace with out getting a ticket 34%
They suppose that normally, posted pace limits are slower than essential and so they choose to drive sooner 25%
The empty roads had been alternative to see how briskly their automobile might go 17%
—
Who’s doing it?
Males had been nearly twice as possible as girls to say they drove at excessive speeds far more usually then regular. 14% vs. 8%, respectively.
Of the 46% who mentioned they had been good drivers even at excessive speeds:
71% ages 18-24
19% ages 45-54
Slowing you down
Drivers inform us a few of the site visitors slowing options they help:
Rumble strips 62%
Pace bumps 55%
Roundabouts 46%
Unsafe driving behaviors influence extra than simply your auto insurance coverage fee. You’re additionally placing your self and different vacationers in danger for accidents and harm. Defend your self and others with the fitting auto protection from ERIE. Go to erieinsurance.com/auto-insurance for extra data.
Methodology
The survey was carried out on-line by Falls & Co. on behalf of Erie Insurance coverage, from August 22 by September 2, 2021, amongst 500 U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 and older. Falls & Co. established the sampling quotas, designed the questionnaire, tabulated the survey responses, and managed the general mission. Falls & Co. used Dynata (Plano, TX) to manage the survey through the web, together with cellular units, to Dynata’s captive U.S. panels who met the age, gender, and regional demographic standards.
Erie Insurance coverage brand
