Millenial drivers: they’re the worst.

Our Blog,personal injury | February 16, 2017

A common suspicion, finally backed by science: millennial drivers are the worst. 

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has confirmed the anecdotal belief that millennial drivers are highway hazards. In particular, the study finds that 88% of drivers aged 19 to 24 have admitted to engaging in risky behavior while in operation of a motor vehicle, including texting while driving, running red lights and stop signs, or speeding in one month alone.

 

 

The report, which was released Wednesday as per USA Today, surveyed 2,511 millennial drivers between August 25th through September 6th. 

Among its findings were the following:

• Some 59.3% of millennials surveyed admitted to sending a text or email while driving, nearly twice the rate of other drivers surveyed (31.4%)
• Almost half of millennials surveyed admitted to running a red-light (other drivers: 36%)

The findings may be a particular cause for alarm, as traffic deaths continue to increase year to year. Last year, for example, we saw a 7% increase in traffic deaths, the biggest single year jump in 50 years. 

Drivers Are Hypocrites

Another interesting yet potentially expected find of the study: drivers are hypocrites. 

In particular, many drivers are quick to dismiss and decry behavior “as unacceptable,” even though they themselves engage in it. For example, while 78.2% of drivers say that reading a text or email was unacceptable, over 40% of drivers report doing exactly so. Likewise with 92.8% of drivers who deem running red lights as unacceptable, despite one in three admitting to doing so in the past month.