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21 Year Old Article Still Working For Progressive Insurance On The Auto Channel | "Why The Holidays Are a Time For Concern on the Nation's Highways"

11 December 2000

Year 2000 Progressive.com Survey Looks at Driving During the Holidays

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Dec. 11 The holidays are a festive time, with parties and celebrations with family, friends, and co-workers from Thanksgiving through the New Year. But according to a survey by progressive.com, this celebratory feeling may give drivers a false sense of security when it comes to drinking and driving. A progressive.com countrywide survey found that 33 percent of people said they drive after having one or two drinks after a holiday celebration. The survey also found that 44 percent of people said they know a friend who, despite being a designated driver, consumed alcohol and drove during the holidays.

Despite the number of people who said they never drink and drive, the survey found that 46 percent of respondents said they know people who have been arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) during the holidays.

While many may believe that New Year's Eve is the holiday during which most people drink and drive, the survey found that Americans drink and drive most frequently after a friend's party, followed by a New Year's Eve Party, and, tied for third, a family gathering and a corporate party.

Alex Ho, progressive.com marketing manager, said: "Some drivers seem to have a little more relaxed attitude toward drinking and driving during the holidays. And, increased traffic during the holidays makes this particularly dangerous. We remind drivers to take extra caution to ensure the safety of everyone in their vehicle."

The holidays can produce stress, which is reflected in the way we drive. According to the survey, 41 percent of respondents report experiencing road rage during the holidays, and 25 percent said that worrying about meeting all commitments during the holidays most likely causes them to experience road rage during the holidays.

Progressive.com recommends that drivers celebrate responsibly at all times, especially during the busy holiday season, and encourages the use of designated drivers. A complete list of holiday "do's and don'ts," along with holiday stress-reducing tips can be found at progressive.com.

You Know ... A countrywide survey by progressive.com of 407 Americans on holiday driving shows ...

Where's the next holiday party?
Sixty-two percent of respondents said they attend one to three holiday parties from November through December; 16 percent said they attend three to five parties.

Drinking and Driving ... and Holidays
Thirty-three percent of people said they would drive after having one or two drinks after a holiday celebration (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's).

Happy Holidays
Twenty-six percent of people will drink and drive after a holiday get- together (i.e. a family gathering, a friend's party, etc.)

DUI During the Holidays
Forty-six percent of respondents said they know people who have been arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) during the holidays.

Designated Drivers - And Drinking
Forty-four percent of people said they know a friend who, despite being a designated driver, consumed alcohol and drove during the holidays. Five percent of respondents said that they have driven after drinking even though they were a designated driver.

Top Holiday Occasions for Drinking and Driving

The top holiday occasions people will drink and drive after are:
1. Friend's party
2. New Year's Eve Party
3. Family gathering - tie
4. Corporate party - tie

Corporate Parties
Twelve percent of people would let their significant other drive home after drinking at a company holiday party.

Holiday Road Rage
Forty-one percent of people report experiencing road rage during the holidays. In addition, 25 percent of people said that 'worrying about too much to do' is most likely to cause them to experience road rage during the holidays.

Holiday Blues I
Thirty-eight percent of people say they get the holiday blues while stuck in traffic. People driving to do holiday shopping are the most likely to get the holiday blues while driving, followed by people driving to work. Forty-three percent of women reported being affected by holiday blues while in traffic versus 33 percent of men.

Men Versus Women And Road Rage
Women are more likely than men to experience road rage because of the holiday blues, and women were also more likely than men to experience road rage because of 'worrying about meeting all commitments during the holidays.'

Holiday Shopping
Men were more likely than women to experience road rage during the holidays while driving to the mall to shop.

Drinking And Driving - Gender Differences
Women were more likely than men to drive after consuming one or two alcoholic drinks while driving alone or with friends, while men were more likely than women to drive after consuming one or two alcoholic drinks with kids or their parents in the car.

Men were two times more likely than women to drive with their spouse or significant other after consuming three to five alcoholic drinks during the holidays.

Holiday Blues II
Twenty-seven percent of people say that holiday blues affects their driving. Sixteen percent of people said that they do not pay attention to the road as a result of holiday blues.

Drink Allowances
Several questions were asked about how much people would allow themselves to drink and then drive home. Here are the results:
1. Driving Alone
When asked the maximum number of drinks they would allow themselves to have and still drink and drive during the holidays, 28 percent of people would have one or two drinks and drive home; 12 percent would have at least 3 drinks and drive home.

2. Driving with Friends
Twenty-four percent of respondents said that one or two drinks is the maximum they would allow themselves to have before getting behind the wheel with friends in the car during the holidays.

3. Driving with children
Ten percent of respondents said that one or two drinks are the maximum they would allow themselves to have before getting behind the wheel with children in the car during the holidays.

4. Driving with significant other
Twenty-three percent of respondents said that one or two drinks is the maximum they would allow themselves to have before getting behind the wheel with their significant other in the car during the holidays, while nine percent would allow themselves at least three drinks in the same situation.

Driving and Crowds
Twenty-four percent of people would shop online for holiday gifts to avoid crowds of people during the holiday season, 11 percent would shop online to avoid traffic.