The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published the American Driving Survey providing a fascinating snapshot of our daily driving habits. The foundation’s goal is to reduce injuries, prevent crashes and save lives by educating the public about traffic safety. The survey, involving personal interviews with 3,319 drivers, revealed some interesting facts about current driving trends.
The American Driving Survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2022 revealed that drivers made a total of 227 billion driving trips, spent 93 billion hours driving, and drove 2.8 trillion miles in 2022. This survey provides valuable information about driving habits and can help identify potential factors contributing to accidents. The foundation’s goal is to use this information to educate the public about traffic safety, ultimately reducing injuries, preventing crashes, and saving lives.
Findings of the Study
Some important results showed:
- Americans drive an average of 29.2 miles a day, making two trips totaling about 45 minutes.
- Women take more frequent trips in the car.
- Men, however, spend more time driving and drive 35% more miles than women.
- Americans drive more on weekdays than weekends.
- Motorists in the South drive the most, and motorists in the Northeast drive the least.
- Americans drive more during the summer months.
- Teens and seniors over the age of 75 drive less than other age groups; those 30-49 years old drive the most.
- Drivers who live in the country drive more time and greater distances than people who live in medium-sized cities.
Knowing the patterns of motorists and their driving habits can assist in predicting where and when accidents are more likely to occur, guide traffic enforcement efforts and provide other data that could be valuable in reducing the numbers of injuries and fatalities.
Oil and gas production has created a higher volume of traffic and more heavy vehicles on the roads in the region around Corpus Christi, making it more important for drivers to be aware of speed limits and other vehicles.
According to a recent Texas Department of Transportation release, there were 3,660 traffic accidents in the 26-county Eagle Ford Shale region including Corpus Christi that caused serious injuries and fatalities in 2014.
Through the first half of 2015, the region had 1,311 traffic accidents and 95 fatalities. The leading cause of accidents was the failure to control speed, according to TDOT.
More than half of the traffic fatalities in Texas in 2014 occurred in rural areas. The accidents took the lives of 1,974 people, according to TDOT.
Americans drive an average of 29.2 miles per day, making two trips that take about 45 minutes in total. This suggests that most Americans rely on their cars for daily errands and commuting. While women take more frequent trips, men spend more time driving and cover 35% more miles than women. This could be due to factors like longer commutes, work-related driving, or different travel patterns.
Americans drive more on weekdays, likely due to work and school commutes. Weekends are often associated with leisure activities and travel, which might explain the lower driving volume. The South has the highest driving volume, while the Northeast has the lowest. This could be influenced by factors like population density, urban vs. rural landscapes, and transportation infrastructure. Driving increases during the summer months, likely due to vacations, road trips, and outdoor activities. Teens and seniors over 75 drive less than other age groups, while those between 30-49 years old drive the most. This could be due to factors like driving restrictions for teens, reduced mobility for seniors, and peak driving years for those in their prime working years. Drivers living in the country drive more time and distance than those in medium-sized cities. This could be due to longer distances between destinations, fewer public transportation options, and a greater reliance on cars for daily needs.
The region around Corpus Christi has seen an increase in traffic volume and heavy vehicles due to oil and gas production. This highlights the importance of driver awareness, speed limits, and safe driving practices to prevent accidents. In 2014, there were 3,660 traffic accidents in the Eagle Ford Shale region, including Corpus Christi, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. The first half of 2015 saw 1,311 accidents and 95 fatalities, with speeding being the leading cause. Over half of the traffic fatalities in Texas in 2014 occurred in rural areas, claiming 1,974 lives. This highlights the need for increased safety measures and awareness in rural areas where roads may be less well-maintained and traffic patterns less predictable.
Why Do Americans Drive So Much?
Sprawl: The US is a vast country with sprawling suburbs and cities, leading to longer distances between homes, workplaces, and stores. This encourages car dependence, as public transportation is often limited or less convenient.
Car Culture: Historically, the US has been a car-centric society. Cars are seen as symbols of freedom and independence, and owning a car is often considered a necessity.
Lack of Alternatives: While public transportation is improving in some areas, it’s still not as readily available or efficient in many parts of the US. This further reinforces car dependence.
Affordability: Cars are generally more affordable in the US than in other developed countries, making car ownership accessible to a wider range of people.
Why Are Men More Likely to Drive More?
Work-Related Driving: Men are more likely to work in jobs that require driving, such as sales, construction, or transportation. This can lead to longer commutes and more frequent driving.
Leisure Activities: Men may be more likely to engage in activities that involve driving, such as sports, hobbies, or weekend trips.
Cultural Norms: Historically, driving has been associated with masculinity, leading to a perception that men are more comfortable and skilled drivers.
Traffic Safety in the Oil & Gas Industry:
Increased Traffic: Oil and gas production brings an influx of workers, heavy vehicles, and equipment to the area, significantly increasing traffic volume and complexity.
Fatigue and Long Hours: Workers in the oil and gas industry often work long hours and irregular shifts, which can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness, increasing the risk of accidents.
Heavy Vehicles: Large trucks and other heavy vehicles are more difficult to maneuver and stop, posing a greater risk to other drivers on the road.
Rural Roads: Many oil and gas production sites are located in rural areas with less well-maintained roads and fewer traffic control measures, making them more dangerous.
Rural Traffic Safety Challenges:
Longer Distances: Rural areas have longer distances between destinations, leading to longer driving times and potentially increased fatigue.
Wildlife Collisions: Rural roads are more likely to intersect with wildlife habitats, increasing the risk of animal-vehicle collisions.
Lower Traffic Enforcement: Rural areas often have fewer police officers and resources for traffic enforcement, making it more difficult to deter speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors.
Road Conditions: Rural roads may be less well-maintained and have more curves and hills, making them more challenging to navigate.
Understanding driving patterns is crucial for traffic safety, enforcement, and planning. The increase in traffic due to oil and gas production in certain regions calls for greater safety awareness. Rural areas face unique challenges in terms of traffic safety and require specific interventions.
When Other Drivers Cause Accidents
If you live in one of the southern parts of the country, or in a rural area, statistics reveal that you spend more time driving, and have an increased risk of being involved in a dangerous car crash. Drivers in certain categories must use a greater level of caution and remain on alert for dangerous conditions and situations to try to avoid the tragedy of an avoidable traffic accident.
If you are involved in an accident caused by another motorist, Herrman & Herrman can help. Our team of car accident lawyers and professional accident investigators can identify eyewitnesses, move ahead to reconstruct the scene of an accident, and gather relevant police reports, as well as engage in a full inspection of the vehicles involved for evidence of the failure of vehicle parts. Our purpose is to help you determine the at-fault party or parties so that a claim can be initiated to recover compensation for all your losses. Always be alert while driving in Texas, and if another driver has caused an accident, contact our firm so that we can help you pursue justice and compensation.
