After three years of decline in the number of drivers who admit they speed, run red-lights, and drive impaired, American motorists have done illegal U-turns with their behind-the-wheel driving behavior, reports a new AAA study.
The latest AAA research shows a significant increase in risky driving behaviors in 2021 compared to 2020, at the start of the pandemic, with the most alarming rise – a nearly 24% increase – among drivers, who admitted they got behind the wheel when they were over the legal drinking limit.
The findings are part of an annual AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index, which highlights gaps between driver attitudes and their unsafe behaviors. The study’s findings are based on self-reported behaviors of drivers.
In the wake of these risky behavior increases, the number of traffic fatalities throughout the nation also rose since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 42,915 people died in vehicle crashes in 2021, a 10.5% increase.
It’s not surprising an increase in risky driving behaviors coincides with the recent number of rising traffic fatalities in this country, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “This uptick certainly is troubling,” said Mayko. “But what’s more disturbing is the number of drivers who acknowledge certain risky behaviors are dangers, but still engage in these actions while behind the wheel.”
For example, 92% of those surveyed contend it’s extremely dangerous to text and drive, while more than a quarter admitted to doing so. It’s similar with aggressive driving. Of the 88% surveyed who contend it’s extremely dangerous to drive aggressively, slightly less than 25% admitted to doing so.
Here are some study highlights of the increases in risky driving behaviors from 2020-2021:
| Unsafe Driving Behavior | 2021 (% of drivers) | 2020 (% of drivers) | % change, 2020-21 |
| Driving when thinking you were over the legal alcohol limit | 7.3% | 5.9% | +23.7% |
| Driving within an hour of consuming cannabis | 5.0% | 4.4% | +13.6% |
| Speeding 15 mph over the limit on a highway | 50.7% | 45.1% | +12.4% |
| Running a red light | 28.2% | 25.6% | +10.1% |
| Driving when you were so tired it was hard to keep your eyes open | 18.8% | 17.3% | +8.7% |
| Tailgating / changing lanes quickly | 22.9% | 21.3% | +7.5% |
| Reading a text | 36.2% | 33.9% | +6.8% |
| Talking on a handheld cell phone | 37.4% | 37.2% | +0.5% |