Exxon Poll Shows Stress a Leading Issue for America's Driving Public
26 May 1999
Exxon Driver Friendly Poll Shows Stress a Leading Issue for America's Driving Public; Yet, Drivers Still Hold on to Their Sense of Humor HOUSTON, May 26 -- One-third of American drivers are so
stressed by today's congested highways that a built-in personal back massage
in the driver's seat tops the wish list of ideal features in a new vehicle,
according to Exxon Company USA's 1999 Driver Friendly Survey. The built-in
back massage beat out other popular futuristic features such as dashboard
Internet access and an in-car microwave, especially among women.
This year's Driver Friendly study also reveals that:
* more than one-half of American drivers will only allow fellow commuters
to merge into their lane if they are not in a hurry; and
* two-thirds will take a detour or change lanes just to keep the car
moving when faced with a traffic jam.
Clearly, American drivers view the daily commute as stressful and
agonizing. In fact, over forty percent of drivers have taken an alternative
route due to TV or radio traffic reports.
The second annual Exxon sponsored Driver Friendly Survey,
conducted earlier this month, questioned 1000 licensed drivers ages 18 and
older on driver preferences and behaviors.
"Exxon has been studying the needs, wants, attitudes and behaviors of the
nation's drivers for years," said Jim Carter, Exxon USA's Marketing Vice
President. "The candid customer feedback and driver trends we identify
through driver surveys helps us become a better 'one-stop' shop. With
three-fourths of American drivers planning to take a long road trip this year,
much more than last year, it's as important as ever for us to understand their
attitudes and behaviors."
Time Not Wasted While Sitting in Traffic
This year's Exxon survey shows that commuters make the most of their time
when behind the wheel. Some drivers consider these tactics for saving time:
* Forty percent of drivers keep in touch with others by calling on a
wireless phone from their cars -- an increase of almost forty-four
percent from 1995;
* One-third of drivers have seized the stall in traffic as an opportunity
to give travel companions a peck on the cheek -- more than half of the
younger drivers participate in this activity;
* Thirty-five percent try to figure out where they are going by looking at
a map;
* More than 70 percent choose to pass the time eating a snack, more common
now since only 58 percent participated in this activity in 1995; and
* More than one-third of the women surveyed check and re-apply lipstick.
Sounds like a challenge to juggle multiple tasks while driving, but many
take advantage of modern amenities that help drivers operate their vehicles.
In fact, one-fourth of survey respondents chose cruise control, the popular
feature that allows vehicles to travel at a set speed without contact to the
gas pedal, as the greatest auto accessory ever invented, other than air
conditioning and the radio. The cruise control feature won the top spot over
other amenities such as intermittent windshield wipers, a CD player; a sun
roof, a cup holder and power seats.
Music Changes Driving Attitudes
Ironically, as much as today's drivers comment on the stress associated
with hitting the road, they don't mind someone singing about it. Country star
Willie Nelson's hit "On The Road Again," beat other popular driving songs such
as "Little Deuce Coupe" by the Beach Boys, and "Baby You Can Drive My Car," by
the Beatles, as best song about driving.
In addition to Nelson, other country music stars fared well in the survey.
Most drivers would choose country pop-stars Shania Twain or Garth Brooks to
sing to them during a summer road trip.
American Drivers Have a Sense of Humor Associated with Traffic Tickets
If fictional characters policed our highways, funny-men Eddie Murphy from
"Beverly Hills Cop" or Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffith Show" would be the
police officer of choice to deliver traffic citations. More than one-half of
respondents chose these humorous figures to deliver the bad news over more
serious characters such as Clint Eastwood from "Dirty Harry" or Bobby Simone
in "NYPD Blue."
Celebrity status comes second to family, however, as the majority of
drivers choose to travel cross-country by car with their spouse over a
Hollywood superstar.
Generation X-Y Technically Advanced, Aggressive and Hungry While on
The Road
Younger respondents, ages 18-34, tend to prefer high-tech features in
cars, be more aggressive with fellow commuters and eat meals on the road
rather than at home. This group would rather have dashboard Internet and
e-mail access in their 'car of the future' than a back massage, 35 percent to
26 percent.
Up to twenty percent of younger drivers describe themselves as
'unapproachable' or 'aggressive' when traveling the open highways.
Ironically, nearly half of these drivers also report flirting with fellow
motorists. When they are not flirting, they're eating. More than half of
young drivers report that they have eaten lunch in their cars, and nearly as
many have eaten breakfast there as well.
Other points about this generation:
* They see the CD player as the greatest automobile accessory invented
(35 percent); and
* Lauryn Hill is their musical vocalist of choice over a country music
artist to share their car with (39 percent).
About Exxon
The Exxon "Driver Friendly" commitment includes a broad-scale upgrade of
Exxon's products and services (depending on location) to improve the entire
driving experience and, thus, make drivers' stops more pleasant and
productive. Exxon USA markets its branded motor fuel at 8,500 retail
locations nationwide. Store upgrades began in 1997. New amenities include
antibacterial, waterless hand soap and music at the pumps; gourmet coffees;
fresh fruit and baked goods sections; easy access to area maps; and cleaner,
"kid-friendly" restrooms. "Tigermarket," Exxon's newest store offering and
ultimate driver convenience center, is currently offered in Memphis, Austin,
Dallas and Houston. Exxon Company USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is
the domestic oil and gas operating division of Exxon Corporation, located
in Irving, Texas.
NOTE: Complete results of the Exxon Company USA Driver Friendly Survey
1999 follow. Comparative figures in this release are based on the Driver
Friendly Survey 1998 and the Exxon 'In-Auto' Survey, 1995.
Exxon Company USA's Driver Friendly Survey 1999 Fact Sheet
Stressed in traffic? It shows...
* Only one-third of drivers considers themselves 'friendly' commuters on
the road
* When stuck in a traffic jam, one-fourth of American drivers will stay in
it, no matter how long the wait. Two-thirds will find an alternative
route or merge to the fastest moving lane.
How would these drivers like to deal with this stress? With a personal
massage...
* A built-in personal back massage was chosen as the most desired
futuristic amenity drivers would like to see in a new vehicle
* Other popular features include dashboard Internet and e-mail access and
a personalized stereo system for each passenger
How do drivers pass the time spent in their cars? Most turn to
refreshments...
* Eighty-three percent drink coffee, juice or soda, up from 74% in 1995
* Seventy percent eat a snack vs. 58% in 1995.
What kind of food are we talking about? Not the heat 'n eat kind...
* Only two percent of drivers would like to have a microwave in their car
if given the chance.
When the food runs out...
* Thirty-five percent look at a map to figure out where they are going
* Thirty-four percent of woman apply lipstick
* Thirty-two percent give traveling companions a peck on the cheek
* Nineteen percent flirt with other drivers.
Is country still king? Definitely when it comes to driving...
* Country star Willie Nelson's hit "On the Road Again" beat out other
popular hits such as "Little Deuce Coup" by the Beach Boys and "Baby You
Can Drive My Car" by the Beatles, as the song that best captures the fun
we have while driving
* Country stars Garth Brooks and Shania Twain are the passengers of choice
to sing to drivers as they travel on long road trips.
Do drivers get mad about traffic tickets? Drivers haven't lost their
sense of humor...
* Funny-men Eddie Murphy from "Beverly Hills Cop" and Barney Fife in "The
Andy Griffith Show" are our fictional traffic officers of choice to hand
over traffic citations.
* Murphy and Fife beat out other popular characters such as Clint Eastwood
from "Dirty Harry" and Bobby Simone in "NYPD Blue" to give the bad news
The 1999 Exxon USA Driver Friendly Survey was conducted from April 30 to
May 3, 1999. The second annual poll focuses on understanding the experiences
and attitudes of today's 'Driver Human.' A total of 1008 telephone interviews
were completed among approximately equal numbers of men and woman. The
results presented in this survey represent the licensed automobile drivers
between the ages of 18 and 64 who represent almost four-fifths of all adults
interviewed. The survey was conducted by Bruskin Goldring and analyzed by
Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.
