AAA Survey Ranks Young Millennials as America’s Worst Drivers

Posted on behalf of Jeff Pitman on March 17, 2017 in Car Accidents
Updated on February 24, 2022

millennial driver and passengerThe AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 88 percent of young millennial drivers have engaged in some form of dangerous driving behavior within the last month, making them the worst generation of current drivers.

The information came to light through a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey of 2,511 drivers that analyzed participants’ willingness to take risks like red-light running, speeding and texting while driving.

When a negligent driver causes an accident that harms you or kills someone you love, an experienced car accident attorney in Milwaukee can help you take legal action.

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

While young millennials between the ages of 19 and 24-years-old had the highest number of drivers willing to take risks, the majority of participants from every age group admitted to taking part in similar behavior as well.

By rank and age group, AAA’s findings include:

  • 19 to 24-years-old: 88.4 percent
  • 25 to 39-years-old: 79.2 percent
  • 40 to 59-years-old: 75.2 percent
  • 16 to 18-years-old: 69.1 percent
  • 75-years or older: 69.1 percent
  • 60 to 74-years-old: 67.3 percent

These findings come at a time in which the number of U.S. traffic fatalities rose to more than 40,000 deaths in 2016, a six percent increase from 2015, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Auto safety advocates attribute the increase in traffic fatalities in part to improved economic conditions within recent years that allowed driving longer distances to become affordable to more people.

NSC officials have stated that while more cars on the road will increase the risk of fatal accidents, dangerous driving behavior also contributed to the high number of traffic deaths in the U.S. and Wisconsin in 2016.

Running Red Lights

The AAA Foundation’s survey found that nearly 50 percent of drivers in the 19 to 24-year-old age group admitted to driving through a light that had just turned red when they could have safely stopped. Only 36 percent of all other participating drivers reported committing this action as well.

Nearly 14 percent of young millennial drivers also admitted that driving through a light that had just turned red is acceptable behavior, compared to only six percent of all other participating drivers who agree.

Speeding

Young millennial drivers are 1.4 times more likely to speed by 10 mph or more on residential roads and 12 percent believe it is acceptable to travel 10 mph over the speed limit in school zones. Only five percent of drivers from all other age groups agree that this behavior is tolerable.

Speeding is also a concern among Wisconsin’s law enforcement agencies, which have reported an increase in speeding tickets.

Texting while Driving

Young millennials were found to be 1.6 times more likely than all other drivers to have read a text or email while driving within the last 30 days (66.1 percent vs. 40.2 percent).

Drivers between the ages of 19 and 24-years-old were also nearly twice as likely to type and send a text message or email while driving, compared to other participating drivers (59.3 percent vs. 31.4 percent).

Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys

At PKSD, our Milwaukee personal injury attorneys have helped numerous victims of car accidents recover the compensation they deserved. Our attorneys work only on a contingency fee basis, which means we never charge unless we recover a favorable outcome on your behalf. We can discuss the possibility of maximizing your compensation through a free, no obligation consultation.

Call 877-877-2228 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form today.

Back to top