While traffic deaths rose more than seven percent in 2015, the biggest single-year rise in more than 50 years, many are studying the information and trying to determine why. Some of the answers may be found in dangerous driving habits of young drivers while behind the wheel.
A recent report released from the AAA foundation for Traffic Safety found the overwhelming majority of millennials engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month. The report, highlighting dangerous driving habits, ranked young millennials as the worst-behaved drivers in the United States.
Final statistics showed traffic deaths increased to 35,092 in 2015, which represents an increase of seven percent in one year. In the study, those aged 19-24 were considered the most dangerous age group. The study found that 88 percent of young millennials engaged in texting, red-light running, speeding while they were behind the wheel. Those drivers were 1.6 times as likely as all drivers to report having read a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days.
They were followed by those age 25-39 with 79.2 percent reporting engaging in risky driving behavior and 75.2 percent of those age 40-59 engaged in such behaviors. The study found that even 67.3 percent of drivers age 60-74 reported in engaging in risky and dangerous behaviors while behind the wheel.
Notably, drivers ages 16-18 were some of the safest drivers behind the wheel, second only to those ages 60 and older.
The information was compiled in the annual Traffic Safety Culture Index and sampled 2,511 licensed drivers ages 16 or older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The report has been released since 2008.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a distracted driving accident, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Portland personal injury attorney. We can fight to get you the compensation you need. Call our offices today.
