BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — AAA is sounding the alarm this holiday season as a number of unsafe driving behaviors rise around New York and across the nation.
A new AAA report found growing trends are creating more dangerous driving conditions.
It claims unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired on cannabis or alcohol have increased since 2020.
A survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported an alarming number of drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they "felt they were over the legal limit." That's an increase of nearly 24% between 2020 and 2021.
Over half of the people surveyed admitted they drove more than 15 mph over the speed limit at least once in the last month.
| UNSAFE DRIVING BEHAVIOR | 2018 (%) | 2019 (%) | 2020 (%) | 2021 (%) | CHANGE FROM 2020 TO 2021 (%) |
Driven 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway | 48.9 | 48.2 | 45.1 | 50.7 | +12.4 |
Driven while holding and talking on a cell phone | 52.1 | 43.2 | 37.2 | 37.4 | +0.5 |
Driven while reading a text or email on a cell phone | 41.3 | 38.6 | 33.9 | 36.2 | +6.8 |
Driven through a red light | 31.4 | 31.1 | 25.6 | 28.2 | +10.1 |
Driven aggressively by switching lanes quickly or very close behind another car | 24.8 | 26.5 | 21.3 | 22.9 | +7.5 |
Driven when so tired it was hard to keep eyes open | 27.0 | 23.6 | 17.3 | 18.8 | +8.7 |
Driven when you had enough alcohol that you thought you were over the legal limit | 10.9 | 9.8 | 5.9 | 7.3 | +23.7 |
Driven within an hour of consuming cannabis | 6.6 | 6.5 | 4.4 | 5.0 | +13.6 |
AAA: The proportion of people who reported having engaged in the following unsafe driving behaviors at least once in the past 30 days before the survey.
As in previous years, drivers reported engaging in risky behaviors that they know are dangerous and friends or family would disapprove.
For example:
- Texting while driving –
- 92% think it’s very or extremely dangerous
- 96% think someone important to them would disapprove
- 26% admitted to doing it in the last 30 days
- Aggressive driving –
- 88% think it’s very or extremely dangerous
- 96% think someone important to them would disapprove
- 23% admitted to doing it in the last 30 days
As unsafe driving behaviors rise, so do traffic fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020.
According to NHTSA, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, drinking, and not using seatbelts account for a considerable proportion of the increased fatalities.
New York State is stepping up to the plate to combat dangerous driving behaviors.
Governor Kathy Hochul has dubbed December "STOP- DWI Month."
Throughout December, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee will launch a new anti-drinking and driving Public Service Announcement and a $1 million 'Don't Drive High' public awareness campaign, which will use funding from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
Other initiatives include:
- Increasing DWI patrols between Dec. 15 and New Year's Day
- Distributing stickers with safe driving messages to be used on 'to-go' drinks at bars and restaurants
Keep your family safe this holiday season.
AAA says to keep these safety tips in mind:
- Out of sight, out of mind. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate call/text blocking features like Apple’s Do Not Disturb.
- Slow down. Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding. Speed kills and isn’t worth the cost.
- Stay alert. Stop driving if you become sleepy because you can fall asleep anytime. Fatigue impacts reaction time, judgment, and vision.
- Drive sober. If you consume marijuana or alcohol, then don’t drive. If you are taking potentially impairing prescription medications, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist how best to stay safe AND healthy behind the wheel.
- Buckle your seat belt for every ride. It does not matter where in the vehicle you are seated. A properly worn seatbelt is the most effective way to survive a traffic crash.
