Survey reveals driver behaviours, fears and fantasies (2013-10-03)

A new online survey measures just how much actual living goes on in cars, whether it is eating, applying makeup, flirting or having sex. This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Scout GPS from August 21-23, 2013 among 1,832 U.S. adults.
As a result, drivers are still distracted despite all the attention paid to the risks.

Adults participating in the survey admit to "having participated in a sexual activity while driving."
Men were three times more likely to admit that had, at 17%, compared to women, 5%.
By a percentage point, those age 35 to 44 were the leading age group at 18%
those 18 to 34 were next 17%
45-54 year olds (8%)
drivers aged 55 or older (5%).

Some 13% say they have eaten using a fork, spoon or knife while driving;

10% have applied makeup;

9% have flirted with another driver.

Those who have read a book behind the wheel represent only 4%.

Of those who have used their phone to talk or text while driving (60%), 30 percent have had a near-miss accident;

27% had a close call because they were applying makeup;

21% who narrowly escaped a fender bender because they were participating in a sexual activity.

Shaving while driving was the most dangerous: for those who confessed to doing this, 16% said they have actually been in an accident while shaving.

49% of drivers surveyed said they would give up alcohol;
47% social media;
35% said they would give up caffeine
27% said they would give up sex, for one week in exchange for a week without traffic.

Those aged 21-34 (55%) are more likely to give up alcohol than
those 55 or older (46%).

Almost twice as many drivers aged 18-34 (49%) said they would give up caffeine compared to
those 55 or older (27%).

Women (37%) are almost two and a half times more likely than
men (16%) to say they would give up sex.

Almost one-in-five (18%) drivers said they would give up their smartphone.

What people find most frustrating about other drivers?

Tailgating leads the pack at 69%, followed by people on the phone (65%). Slow drivers in the fast lane (63%), littering out the car windows (62%) and road rage (61%) are close behind.

Drivers admitted that they would engage in some interesting activities in their cars if they knew people could not see them:

54% said they would consider singing aloud in their cars;
30% would consider picking their nose, 19% would think about changing clothes, 15% would ponder having sex and
9% would contemplate driving naked.

This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
While Harris is a respected polling organization and 1,832 is a lot of respondents, the results are not considered scientific. But they are interesting.

For additional findings and an infographic highlighting the results visit www.scout.me.

Harris Interactive

MDN