Millennials have shaken up the rules in the workplace, how consumer goods are marketed and a number of other areas that we encounter every day. Turns out this impactful generation – broadly defined as anyone between 18 and 34 years old – also commands a lot of attention on our nation’s highways, primarily because they statistically aren’t very good drivers.
According to a new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 88 percent of younger millennials (ages 19 to 24) engaged in at least one risky behavior behind the wheel in the past 30 days, earning the top spot of worst behaved U.S. drivers. These include texting while driving, running red lights and speeding. All of these behaviors increase the risk of accidents and injuries to themselves and other motorists.
No Remorse About Careless Habits
One of the most alarming aspects of the AAA study is the cavalier attitude many millennials have regarding their risky driving habits. According to the report, nearly 12 percent of drivers ages 19-24 feel it is acceptable to drive 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone, compared to less than 5 percent of all drivers.
The data suggests that young drivers are more likely to take unnecessary risks while behind the wheel and not feel bad about it.
Consider the following facts:
- Drivers ages 19-24 were nearly twice as likely as all drivers to report having typed or sent a text message or e-mail while driving (59.3 percent vs. 31.4 percent).
- Drivers ages 19-24 were 1.4 times as likely as all drivers to report having driven 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street.
- Nearly 14 percent of drivers ages 19-24 reported feeling that it is acceptable to drive through a light that just turned red, when they could have stopped safely, compared to about 6 percent of all drivers.
Fatalities On the Rise
Perhaps not coincidentally, these findings come at a time when being on the road is proving increasingly dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the number of traffic deaths rose to 35,092 nationally in 2015, an increase of more than 7 percent from the previous year. Traffic deaths rose 10.4 percent in the first half of 2016 over the previous year, according to the NHTSA.
If you are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, or if a family member is killed in an accident caused by someone else, it is important that you understand your rights. Speak directly to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible following an accident by calling Klampe Law Firm LLC.