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Half of Americans admit to adopting dangerous driving behaviors that put their lives and those of other drivers at risk.
Unsafe driving in the United States, such as running red lights, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving while drowsy, continues to be a concern. The 2020 analysis of the Road Safety Culture Index revealed that while the number of drivers decreased that year, dangerous behaviors like speeding and using mobile phones while driving persist.
A survey conducted in August 2022 by U.S. News & World Report’s 360 Reviews revealed that more than half of Americans admit to adopting dangerous driving behaviors that put their lives and those of other drivers at risk, becoming everyday habits.
Recently, a Forbes Advisor publication revealed the states with the worst driving habits and the percentage of drivers who admit to poor practices on the road. Although these habits have changed, they have not improved and continue to pose a danger on U.S. roads. According to Forbes, these are the most common bad driving habits in the country:
The worst driving habits in the U.S.
- Speeding (less than 10 mph over the speed limit)
- Eating while driving
- Accelerating to beat a yellow light
- Speeding (between 15 km/h and 19 km/h over the limit)
- Texting while driving
- Changing lanes or turning without signaling
- Honking, swearing, or making angry gestures at another driver
- Speeding (20 mph or more over the speed limit)
- Running a red light
- Tailgating
According to the survey conducted by Forbes Advisor, speeding is the worst driving habit in the United States, with 39% of drivers admitting to practicing it. Additionally, 14% admitted to exceeding the limit by 10 to 19 mph. The second worst habit is eating while driving, with 29% of respondents reporting this practice. Accelerating at a yellow light is the third worst habit, with 22% of respondents engaging in it.
Despite this, 94% of respondents consider themselves good drivers. However, it is important to highlight a growing habit in recent years: distracted driving. While some of the habits mentioned fall into this category, distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous behaviors on the roads today.
Distracted driving: the unnoticed bad driving habit
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022. The 2024 Travelers Risk Index shows which distracted driving behaviors have increased:
- Updating or checking social media: 13% increase
- Writing texts or emails: 10% increase
- Talking on the phone (hands-free): 10% increase
Cognitive distraction has been observed to contribute to 85% of distracted driving-related crashes and fatalities. And while many drivers consider themselves to be responsible on the road, the prevalence of dangerous habits, especially distracted driving, indicates a significant safety issue. As technology continues to advance, raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and implementing stricter regulations may be crucial steps in improving road safety across the United States.
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