Driver Report Card: Hankook Tire Reveals How Americans Grade Themselves as Drivers

WAYNE, N.J., May 24, 2016 -- With the school year coming to an end, Hankook Tire has a final grade for you. How does your grade on the road compare to millions of motorists around the country? Hankook Tire recently polled Americans on how they would grade themselves and other drivers of various vehicles, and found that the majority of Americans are not short on confidence.

In its latest quarterly Gauge Index, Hankook found that eighty-six (86%) of Americans would give themselves at least a "B" grade on their driving skills, which translates to an above average driver. In addition, over one quarter (28%) of Americans believe they are excellent drivers, grading themselves an "A." Less than one percent of drivers surveyed gave themselves a D or an F grade. Meanwhile, reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) show that the number of motor vehicle accidents for 2015 increased from the 6 million accidents the year prior. Where are all the bad drivers hiding?

According to American motorists, the type of car you drive may have an influence on how you perform on the road. More than half of respondents (53%) consider drivers of sedans the best drivers on the road. The Gauge also found that motorists believe seventeen percent (17%) of luxury car drivers drive best, followed by fifteen percent (15%) of minivan drivers, and eleven percent (11%) of sports car drivers. If your car is past its prime, then your driving might fail as well. Only four percent (4%) of Americans consider drivers of jalopy cars to be the best on the road.

Age may be a factor as well. Close to half (45%) of Americans believe drivers should be at least 18 years old to get a license, which is higher than the current age requirement to get behind the wheel in every state.

Just as some students opt for summer school, Hankook Tire has some tips to improve your driver report card this summer:

Maintain your car – A car that is well maintained will perform better. This includes checking your oil, coolant, brake fluid, lights, tire pressure and tire tread at least once a month. Rotate your tires every 7,500 miles to ensure their longevity.
Equip to fit – For better traction and performance on the road, equip your car with season appropriate tires. All-season and summer tires will provide more control and balance in summer's varied driving conditions. Consider Hankook's all-season ultra-high performance Ventus S1 noble2 tire or the ultra-high performance summer Ventus S1evo2 SUV optimized wet and dry performance.
Polish your driving technique – There are a few things you can do behind the wheel to improve your grade as a driver. Abrupt starts and stops not only confuse the drivers in front and behind you, but they also wear your tires down faster. Also, be aware of your surroundings on the road. Check your blind spots and know who is in front or behind you to avoid interfering with other drivers.

The Hankook Tire Gauge Index is a quarterly survey of Americans that uncovers their attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The spring installment of the survey, conducted March 21-22, 2016, polled 1,020 randomly selected Americans on spring driving as the season kicked off.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are better for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire America Corp. markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States.