According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding (exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions) is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes, and a contributing factor in nearly three of ten fatal crashes in 2001 (Traffic Safety Facts 2001 NCSA, NHTSA). NHTSA estimates that speeding-related crashes have an economic cost to society of $40.4 billion each year. Aggressive driving – operating a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property, according to NHTSA – appears to be more common and more dangerous on our congested roadways. Despite the growing concern over these behaviors, not enough current information is available on the nature and extent of speeding and other unsafe actions or behaviors. In addition, more information is needed on the characteristics of the drivers who exhibit these behaviors and on the public’s views of the problem and their attitudes towards various countermeasures. NHTSA undertook a national survey in 1997 on speeding and unsafe driving behaviors (released in 1999). The current survey provides an update to the findings of that report. The 1997 study provided baseline data on topic areas including speeding and speed limits, certain unsafe driving behaviors, and crash experience. The unsafe driving behaviors examined included tailgating, weaving, and making obscene gestures to other drivers. These behaviors are sometimes cited as examples of aggressive driving. While there is increased public concern about the role of aggressive driving in crashes and traffic fatalities, there are differences among traffic safety experts as to what constitutes aggressive driving. Consequently, the 1997 survey focused only on specific unsafe driving acts rather than on aggressive driving. While NHTSA intended to assess the nature and extent of the changes towards the baseline speeding and unsafe driving measures of the initial study, the agency also decided to acquire data on drowsy driving and distracted driving. To accomplish this, NHTSA contracted with The Gallup Organization to conduct two surveys concurrently of the driving public’s attitudes and behaviors regarding speeding, unsafe driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving and drowsy driving. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting