AAA: 87 percent admit to unsafe behaviors while driving

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A new study by AAA shows around 87 percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving within the past month. The research was gathered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Some of those behaviors include driving while distracted, impaired, drowsy, speeding, running red lights or not wearing a seat belt.

The statistics are staggering:

• 70 percent of drivers reported talking on a cell phone while driving within the last 30 days.
• 42 percent of drivers admit to reading a text message or email while behind the wheel.
• In the last month, 32 percent of drivers claim to have typed or sent a text message or email.
• Nearly half of drivers – 48 percent – reported going 15 mph or more over the speed limit on a freeway.
• 32 percent of drivers say they have driven when they were so tired they almost fell asleep.
• 13 percent of drivers said they were drunk or close to it while driving within the last month.

The report finds that one in three drivers have had a friend or relative seriously injured or killed in a crash, and one in five have been involved in a crash that was serious enough for someone to go to the hospital.

In a press release, Michelle Harris of AAA said: “We have the opportunity to make driving safer for all of us. By fully focusing on the task at hand while behind the wheel, each of us has the power to reduce the number of needless deaths and injuries on our roadways every year.”