KEY FINDINGS

18 million licensed drivers may be unfit for roads: If tested today, nearly 18 million people would fail a written test similar to one required to get a state drivers license. That’s 1 in 11 drivers on the roads today that failed to demonstrate adequate driving knowledge. In the 2005 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, 1 in 10 respondents failed (20 million drivers).

Location is everything: For the second year running, Oregon has the most knowledgeable drivers and Rhode Island has the least.

• Oregon’s drivers are the most knowledgeable, with an average score of 91% and the lowest percent failing the test (1%).
• Rhode Island’s drivers are the least knowledgeable with an average score of 75%; more than a quarter of drivers in Rhode Island failed.
• Drivers in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions are the most knowledgeable, with state failure rates ranging from 1% to 7%.
• Overall, drivers in the Northeast region are most apt to fail the test, with state failure rates of 16% or more.

Age Brings Wisdom: The older you are, the more likely you are to pass.

• Drivers under 35 years old are more likely to fail a written driving test; 18-24 year olds have the lowest average test scores.
• Experienced drivers ages 35-60+, are most likely to pass a written driving test with higher average scores.

DRIVING DON’TS: WHERE AMERICANS ARE LACKING

Pedestrian Protocol: Watch out the next time you’re crossing the street – 1 in 3 drivers usually do not stop. This is particularly disturbing when you consider that 43% of all pedestrian injuries and 22% of fatal injuries to pedestrians occur in collisions with motor vehicles at intersections.

• 1 in 3 drivers don’t usually stop for pedestrians – even if they’re in a crosswalk or at a yellow light.
• At least 1 out of 5 drivers do not know that a pedestrian has the right of way at a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Walkers Aren’t Wary: While drivers should always pay attention to the rules of the road, pedestrians need to be just as cognizant of the laws that keep them safe.

• At least 20 million Americans cross the street at any point they need to.
• 1 in 4 people cross whenever there’s a break in traffic.

DRIVING IS THE NEW DOWN TIME

In today’s hectic world, Americans are treating driving as “down time,” where they catch up on activities they don’t normally get to in their busy day. But participating in distracting activities during driving can have disastrous effects.

• American drivers engage in a variety of disrupting behaviors, like chatting on a cell phone, sending text messages, e-mailing friends, selecting songs on iPods, applying makeup, changing clothes and reading.
• Eating and talking on a cell phone are by far the most common activities (42% eat and 40% chat on cell phones).
• Younger drivers aged 18-24 who are accustomed to always being “plugged in” have the most mentions for every distracting situation while driving:
• Eat – 62%
• Talk on a cell phone – 71%
• Send text messages – 24%
• Select songs on an iPod – 20%
• Apply makeup – 8%
• Change clothes – 8%
• Read – 4%
• Send e-mails – 1%

MORE BAD DRIVING HABITS

Americans exhibit bad driving behaviors that not only put themselves in harm’s way, but also jeopardize anyone else on the road.

• Nearly one quarter of Americans believe there are circumstances in which it’s acceptable to not wear a seatbelt.
• 1 in 7 Americans have packed their car so tightly that their vision was obstructed. To be safe, drivers should be able to clearly see out all windows and mirrors in their car.
• At least 1 in 5 drivers do not know:
• When to properly use their high-beam headlights or what to do when bright headlights come at them at night.
• That highways are the most slippery just when it starts to rain after a dry spell. In fact, this is the question most often answered incorrectly for the second year in a row. Fortunately, 97% of those tested know what to do when they hydroplane.
• Where to correctly position their car when pulling off the road on a highway.
• What the symbol on a “slow moving vehicle” sign means.
• That white arrows in the middle of lanes are used to direct drivers in the proper turning lane.