Automakers show little interest in stopping the sale of profitable vehicle electronics.
According to a new survey just released, the “Texter” generated the most fury of fellow drivers, earning the scorn of 26% of Americans contributing to the Road Rage problem. “The Tailgater” (13%) ranked second, edging out “The Left Lane Hog” (12%), “The Crawler” (10%) and “The Multitasker” (7%).
The least popular in-car behavior is “back-seat driving,” cited as the top peeve by 52% of Americans. The “Reluctant Co-Pilot” – the co-pilot who will not help navigate – ranked second, by 12% of Americans, followed by the “Radio Hog” (10%), the “Snoozer” (8%), the “Shoe Remover” (7%) and the “Snacker” (6%).
Among major cities, New York City was cited as having the rudest drivers according to 42% of Americans. Thirty-two percent chose Los Angeles drivers, 18% felt the nation’s rudest drivers could be found in Chicago, while 16% said the same of Washington, DC. Only 1% of Americans felt that Portland, Oregon drivers were the nation’s rudest.
“Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, and a moment when millions of drivers will take to the road,” said John Morrey, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com the source of the data.
Fifty-one percent of Americans report that they loathe sharing the road with bad drivers, more than cyclists, buses, taxis, joggers and walkers combined. Nearly all Americans (97%) rate themselves as “careful” drivers, but feel that only 29% of fellow drivers merit the description.
Sixty-one percent admit to speeding, while 29% admit to following other vehicles too closely. Twenty-six percent have yelled or used profanity at another driver. Seventeen percent have made a rude gesture, but 53% have been on the receiving end of one. One quarter of Americans admit “regularly or occasionally” talking on their mobile phone while driving.
Americans offered multiple reasons for driving misbehavior: 21% reported that they were running late. Fourteen percent felt provoked by other drivers and 13% felt triggered by another driver who wasn’t paying attention.
“Now that drivers can book rental cars through Expedia’s updated mobile app, we’ve set out with the Road Rage study to examine what sorts of behavior make travel more pleasurable, and what sorts of behavior should be avoided,” Morrey said.
