With Americans planning to hit the road over Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, a national survey commissioned by Erie Insurance provides new insights about what drivers can expect to see on the road. The survey asked about everything from concerns about other drivers’ behaviors; their own habits when it comes to speeding and use of social media while driving; and the number of miles they’ll drive in a single road trip. The survey also found that while drivers may be road ready, their cars may not be, as some put off vehicle maintenance during the pandemic.
“We know a lot of drivers are anxious to travel again as pandemic restrictions begin to lift, so we commissioned this survey to get a glimpse into drivers’ mindsets as they venture back out,” said Jon Bloom, vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. “Our survey uncovered some concerning behaviors and showed that we need to remain vigilant and keep reminding people that driving is something that requires their full attention. We want everyone to enjoy their road trips and make it home safely.”
Driving Behaviors
When asked about their own driving behaviors, nearly three quarters of drivers (72%) admitted they sometimes or often speed. Another 62% said they sometimes or often drive while tired, and a very concerning 7% said they sometimes or often fall asleep at the wheel. Drivers aged 25-44 seem the most tired, with 13% of them saying they sometimes or often fall asleep while driving.
When asked what most worries them about other drivers, the top 5 concerns were:
|
1. |
Texting or talking on the phone while driving |
50% |
|
2. |
Road rage |
18% |
|
3. |
Speeding |
14% |
|
4. |
Tailgating |
12% |
|
5. |
Failing to yield |
3% |
Social Media and Cell Phone Use While Driving
Significant percentages of drivers admit they use their cell phones while driving, including to access GPS (36%), to take or make calls (36% and 28%, respectively), or to check or reply to texts (26% and 17%, respectively).
A much smaller percentage (5%) admit to accessing social media while driving. Of those, their top 5 social media activities are:
|
1. |
Scrolling through photos, posts or other content |
89% |
|
2. |
Taking pictures |
37% |
|
3. |
Posting photos or videos |
26% |
|
4. |
Watching or shooting videos |
22% |
|
5. |
Commenting on other people’s photos or videos |
19% |
Racking Up the Miles
Half of survey respondents (51%) said they plan to take at least one road trip vacation this year. Of those, 14% plan to drive 1,000 miles or more on their trip. Westerners are most likely to drive this far (25%), while few drivers from the Northeast (5%) and Midwest (7%) plan to venture this far from home.
You’re Ready to Roll – But is Your Car?
Most drivers kept up with their vehicle’s maintenance during the pandemic, but one in five said they put off some of these tasks. The top 5 common vehicle services they postponed are below and also are shown in this infographic:
|
1. |
Oil and filter changes |
65% |
|
2. |
Cleaning interior and exterior of vehicle |
45% |
|
3. |
Tire rotation |
38% |
|
4. |
Checking tire inflation, tread and general condition |
28% |
|
5. |
Engine and cabin air filter changes |
24% |
See more results from the Erie Insurance auto insurance survey and visit our website at www.erieinsurance.com.