Negligent drivers continue to cause serious and fatal car accidents in California and across the nation
An increasing number of drivers admit to regularly engaging in different types of unsafe driving behaviors that often result in serious car accidents, according to a recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
“The reversal in the frequency of U.S. drivers engaging in risky driving behavior is disturbing,” David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation, said in a statement published in a report by Forbes. “We must be aware of the serious consequences of dangerous driving behaviors and change course.”
Educating drivers about the importance of not taking risks on the road is important. The car accident lawyers at Clancy & Diaz, LLP know because we have been helping people injured in Bay Area car crashes caused by reckless drivers for years.
Which unsafe driving behaviors are the most common?
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducts yearly surveys to determine which dangerous driving habits drivers engage in regularly. Recently, the foundation released a study comparing the answers drivers gave to researchers between 2018 and 2021.
In every case, more drivers admitted to engaging in unsafe driving habits in the past 30 days in 2021 compared to 2020. This was especially true for drunk driving and speeding. “While drivers acknowledge that certain activities behind the wheel – like speeding and driving impaired, are not safe, many still engage in these activities anyway,” Yang said.
4 biggest increases in risky driving behaviors
Percentage-wise, the biggest increases in dangerous driving habits in 2021 versus 2020 in the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study were:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol – 23.7 percent increase in 2021 compared to 2020
- Driving within an hour of consuming cannabis – 13.6 percent increase
- Driving 15 mph over the speed limit – 12.4 percent increase
- Going through a red light – 10.1 percent increase
5 most common dangerous driving habits
In 2021, the five most common dangerous driving habits were the same risky driving behaviors people regularly engage in, according to AAA survey results from 2018 through 2021. In particular, the top five most common dangerous driving habits drivers admitted to engaging in within the last 30 days in 2021 were:
- Driving 15 mph over the speed limit – 50.7 percent of drivers surveyed by the AAA Foundation
- Driving while holding a cellphone or talking on a cell phone – 37.4 percent
- Driving while reading a text message or email on a cellphone – 36.2 percent
- Driving through a red light – 28.2 percent
- Driving aggressively by switching lanes quickly or driving very close behind another car – 22.9 percent
Clancy & Diaz goes the distance for East Bay crash victims.
Don’t underestimate the complexity or the seriousness of your car accident. Many times, the driver who caused your collision will deny doing anything wrong. Other times, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might be the problem and do everything they can to reduce or deny your injury claim.
We know what’s at stake. That’s why our car accident lawyers want to meet with you to learn more about your potential legal case. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation with an attorney you can count on in a crisis. We have two offices conveniently located in California’s Bay Area in Walnut Creek and Antioch. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we obtain a financial settlement or verdict for you.