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Are Our Cars Turning into Mobile Homes?

16 November 2000

Are Our Cars Turning into Mobile Homes?
   Progressive Insurance Survey Finds Our Cars Serve as Our Bathrooms, Our
  Kitchens and Our Offices, Leading to Dangerous Driving Habits on America's
                                   Roadways

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Nov. 15 Whether you own a compact
car, a sports car or an SUV, many Americans are using their cars more like
mobile homes.  According to a new survey by Progressive Auto Insurance,
69 percent of people say they eat behind the wheel, 12 percent apply makeup or
shave, and seven percent read a book or newspaper.  The survey also found that
44 percent of respondents say they use a cell phone while driving.
    The survey of the driving habits of 29,981 people countrywide was
conducted by Progressive between May 17, 2000 and July 1, 2000.  The survey
also found that besides being distracted while driving, we are also angry
while we're behind the wheel.  According to the survey, 46 percent of
respondents report expressing their anger at other drivers while behind the
wheel and, interestingly, of those people who express their anger while behind
the wheel (by shouting or swearing, using hand gestures, cutting off other
drivers or speeding) -- more than 50 percent also talk on their cell phones
while driving.
    "It's a reflection of our society that we try to do more than just drive
when we're on the road, but it's important that your full attention be spent
on driving when you are behind the wheel," said Dave Pratt, Consumer Marketing
Director at Progressive.  "Perhaps our busy lifestyles, combined with more
traffic and congested roadways, is why nearly half of the drivers express
anger.  Becoming too emotional and too preoccupied with other drivers is just
another way to get distracted and potentially lead to accidents."
    The survey found that 74 percent of SUV drivers and minivan drivers report
eating behind the wheel, more than any other type of vehicle, and SUV drivers
are the most likely to use a cell phone while behind the wheel.
    When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy" "smart"
"sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," the number one group to classify their
car as aggressive are truck owners followed closely by SUV drivers.
Interestingly, 15 percent of people who classify their car as aggressive
report speeding as a means to express their anger when they're behind the
wheel.
    The survey also found some interesting differences between men and women.
According to the survey, when it comes to letting off steam behind the wheel,
women are more likely than men to shout or swear at other drivers to express
anger, while men are nearly twice as likely as women to use hand gestures.
Men are also three times more likely than women to classify their car as
"aggressive," and more likely to classify their car as "sexy."

                               Did You Know...
 According To A Driving Habits Survey of 29,981 People Countrywide Conducted
                      By Progressive Auto Insurance ...

    Road Rage
    Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents report expressing their anger at
    other drivers while behind the wheel.

    Eating and Driving
    Seventy-four percent of people who drive SUVs and minivans report eating
    while behind the wheel, more than any other type of vehicle.

    Status Symbol
    Sixty percent of SUV owners report using a cell phone while behind the
    wheel, more than any other type of vehicle.

    Off-Road Mentality
    When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy" "smart"
    "sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," people who drive trucks are the
    number one group to classify their car as "aggressive," followed closely
    by SUV drivers.  Minivan drivers are most likely to classify their car as
    "smart."

    Speed Demons
    Fifteen percent of people who classify their car as aggressive report
    speeding as a means to express their anger when they're behind the wheel.

    I Swear
    SUV and sports car owners are most likely to shout and swear at other
    drivers to express anger, followed closely by minivan owners.

    Men Are From %**$### MARS
    Women are more likely than men to shout or swear at other drivers to
    express anger when behind the wheel, while men are nearly twice as likely
    as women to use hand gestures.

    Manly Cars
    When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy" "smart"
    "sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," men are three times more likely than
    women to classify their car as "aggressive."  Men are also more likely
    than women to classify their car as "sexy."

    Angry Phone Calls?
    Fifty-seven percent of people who consider their car "aggressive" say they
    talk on a cell phone while driving.

    Cell Phone Rage
    Of those people who express their anger while behind the wheel (by
    shouting or swearing, using hand gestures, cutting off other drivers or
    speeding) -- more than 50 percent also talk on their cell phones while
    driving.

    Cell Phone Rage II
    Of those people who cut off other drivers as a way to express anger when
    behind the wheel, 58 percent of them use cell phones versus 43 percent who
    do not use a cell phone while driving.

    WWAASSSSUUUUPPP!
    Forty-four percent of all people surveyed say they use a cell phone while
    driving, with 18-24 year-olds being the ones most likely to use cell
    phones while driving (55 percent).

    Driving Works Up My Appetite
    More than half (69 percent) of people report eating behind the wheel.
    Twelve percent report applying makeup or shaving while driving, and seven
    percent report reading a book or newspaper while driving.

    YEAH I'M TALKING TO YOU
    Twenty-seven percent of all respondents say they shout or swear to express
    anger when behind the wheel.  People aged 25 to 34 are the most likely to
    shout or swear.

    Sexy Car, Sexy Driver
    When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy" "smart"
    "sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," people who say they consider their
    car "sexy" apply makeup/shave while driving twice as often as those who
    consider their car "reliable."

    Generation I(rate)
    When asked to classify how they express their anger while behind the
    wheel, respondents ages 18-24 are the age group most likely to use hand
    gestures, cut off other drivers, and speed.

    The Wisdom of the Ages
    Seventy-one percent of respondents over the age of 55 say they do not
    express their anger at other drivers while behind the wheel.  They are
    also the group least likely to report talking on a cell phone while
    driving.

    Really Reliable
    When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy" "smart"
    "sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," 65 percent of all respondents would
    classify their car as "reliable."

    Smooth Driving
    People who classify their car as "reliable" are the most likely group to
    say they do not express anger while behind the wheel.

    Mini Drivers
    Females are two times more likely than men to drive minivans.