Behind The Wheel True Confessions

AUSTIN, Texas (May 30, 2019)-In recognition of National Safety Month, which takes place in June, DriversEd.com, the leading online driving school, today released the survey results from its 2019 Behind-the-Wheel Confessions Report. The study reveals striking statistics on an array of dangerous behind-the-wheel behaviors that U.S. drivers admit to-from distracted driving, drunk driving and drowsy driving to speeding, running through red lights and not stopping at stop signs.

The good news is that a fairly high percentage, 91%, of Americans say they always wear a seatbelt. The bad news: just about all of the other data we found," said Laura Adams, safety and education analyst at DriversEd.com. "When it comes to driving safety, the country and its roadways are in a state of perennial crisis-and the situation is getting worse, largely thanks to phones, texting and social media."

One of the most alarming figures we found is that one in every five U.S. drivers admits to falling asleep at the wheel," said Adams. "The solution in most cases is simply getting proper sleep and always being aware of the medications you're taking, how they interact and their potential side effects."

Among the hazardous behaviors that U.S. drivers confessed to:

* Drowsy Driving: 71% admit they have driven while drowsy, while 20% admit they have fallen asleep.

* Speeding: 89% admit they have driven above the speed limit.

* Road Rage: 40% admit they have had road rage.

* Stop Signs: 58% admit they have gone through a stop sign without entirely stopping.

* Red Lights: 47% admit they have run a red light.

* Changing Tires: 62% admit they have waited longer than they should have to change their tires.

* Distracted Driving: 31% admit they check their phone more often than they should while driving.

* Drunk Driving: 24% admit they have driven while drunk.

In addition, on the topic of driving safety, the study found:

* Driver vs. Passenger: 78% of Americans say they feel safer as a driver, while 22% say passenger.

* Self-Driving Cars vs. Human-Operated Cars: 57% of Americans say that, in ten years, human-operated cars will be safer, while 43% say self-driving cars.

* Drunk Driving vs. Marijuana Driving: 36% of Americans say driving while drunk is more dangerous, while 3% say driving while high from marijuana and 61% say both are equally dangerous.

"For each and every one of these hazardous behind-the-wheel behaviors, there are solutions-from checking your eyesight and hearing to assigning a designated driver to setting calendar reminders to inspect your tires to meditating before driving to simply exercising self-discipline," added Adams.

The full Behind-the-Wheel Confessions report-which includes additional data, insights and analysis-is available at driversed.com/trending/study-drivers-behind-wheel-confessions-reveal-dangerous-habits<https://driversed.com/trending/study-drivers-behind-wheel-confessions-reveal-dangerous-habits>.