Young millennials, ages 19 to 24-years-old, have been found to be the worst generation of current drivers and the most at-risk group for engaging in dangerous driving behavior, according to a study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The study analyzed risky behaviors that are routinely committed by drivers, including running red lights, texting and driving, and speeding. Its findings come after U.S. traffic fatalities rose to 35,092 in 2015, the largest annual hike in five decades.
AAA’s researchers looked at age when analyzing driving behaviors and found that the following groups engaged in at least one reckless driving behavior such as texting while driving, speeding or running a red light within the last 30 days:
- 67.3 percent of drivers ages 60 to 74-years-old
- 69.1 percent of drivers ages 75-years or older
- 69.3 percent of drivers ages 16 to 18-years-old
- 75.2 percent of drivers ages 40 to 59-years-old
- 79.2 percent of drivers ages 25 to 39-years-old
- 88.4 percent of drivers ages 19 to 24-years-old
Drivers, between the ages of 19 and 24-years-old, were 88 percent more likely to drive in a dangerous manner at least once in a 30-day period.
Texting and Driving
Drivers between the ages of 19 and 24-years-old were 1.6 times more likely to read an email or text message while behind the wheel in the past 30 days.
Young millennial drivers were almost two times more likely to have emailed, texted or typed a message while behind the wheel.
Speeding
Young millennial drivers were 1.4 times more likely to drive 10 mph over the posted speed limit in residential areas.
Of the drivers between the ages of 19 and 24-years-old, 12 percent felt it was acceptable to go 10 mph over the posted speed limit within a school zone.
Running Red Lights
Nearly 50 percent of young millennials ran a red light when they could have stopped safely, as opposed to only 36 percent of all drivers belonging to the other age groups involved in the study.
Almost 14 percent of young millennial drivers between the ages of 19 to 24-years-old also revealed that they thought it was acceptable to drive through a traffic light that had just turned red even if they could safely stop.
Of all the other drivers belonging to the other age groups involved in the study, only six percent said this was an acceptable action.
The behavior of drivers and their attitudes towards following traffic safety laws has a significant impact on the increasing number of fatal auto accidents on U.S. roads.
If you were injured or lost a loved one because another driver violated a traffic law, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The skilled car accident attorneys at Schmidt Kramer can help victims of auto accidents in the Harrisburg area seek justice. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. We charge no fees unless we help you recover damages for your claim.
Call (717) 888-8888 to speak with one of our Harrisburg car accident attorneys.