ERIE, Pa., April 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Whereas the pandemic cancelled trip plans in 2020, cooped-up vacationers are planning extra highway journeys this yr, in keeping with a brand new nationwide survey from Erie Insurance coverage performed to assist Distracted Driving Consciousness Month in April.
Greater than half of respondents plan to take not less than one highway journey this yr. One other 30% say they want to nevertheless it depends upon the standing of the pandemic. Of these planning to pack up their automobile, truck or SUV, greater than half plan to journey greater than 500 miles from dwelling.
“We commissioned this survey to raised perceive how the pandemic has impacted highway journey, and what distractions are impacting driver security,” stated Jon Bloom, vp of private auto, Erie Insurance coverage. “Based mostly on knowledge collected, there’ll doubtless be extra folks touring by automobile who could also be distracted by a lot of elements, each inside and outdoors their automobile. We wish this to function a reminder for drivers to be protected and conscious on the roads always.”
What’s driving this yr’s journey developments?
The urge to see household and buddies is actual. When requested the place they plan on going throughout their highway journey, the bulk (41%) will go to family members whereas many others are beach-bound (21%) or in search of outside journey at a nationwide park (12%). Most (76%) anticipate to journey with only one different particular person, usually their partner or associate. Write-in locations included many outside, socially spaced places (doubtless a response from the pandemic), together with campsites, lakeside resorts, lodges and cabins to partake in fishing, {golfing}, climbing and general sightseeing actions.
Greater than every other age group, the 65+ crowd expects to journey lengthy distances this yr — one-third plan to journey greater than 1,000 miles. The reason why? As the primary age group to be totally vaccinated, they could really feel safer to journey and are desperate to lastly hug their grownup youngsters and grandchildren once more.
Driving distractions to contemplate when highway tripping
Almost half the respondents (44%) stated they’re distracted by different passengers of their automobile when driving. Of these, 40% say youngsters distract them probably the most, adopted by a partner or important different.
The best distraction for drivers within the three older age teams (45-54, 55-64, and 65+) was their spouses or important others complaining about their driving expertise. Within the three youthful age teams (18-24, 25-34 and 35-44), their best distraction was noisy youngsters.
When requested what distracts them probably the most whereas driving, this is an inventory of the highest 5 distractions:
Prime 5 Driving Distractions | Proportion of complete respondents (one selection per respondent) |
1. Issues I see exterior the window
| 38.6% |
2. Passengers
| 18.2% (tie) |
3. Cellular phone
| 18.2% (tie) |
4. Making an attempt to eat or drink
| 17.8% |
5. The radio or music taking part in
| 6.2% |
The older the age group, the much less distracted drivers are by issues inside their automobile. Drivers 65+, for instance, are distracted seven occasions extra by what they see exterior than they’re by cell telephones.
Males and feminine responded equally to all distractions besides attempting to eat and drink and utilizing their telephone’s GPS. Almost twice as many males (23%) are most distracted by attempting to eat or drink in comparison with females (13%), whereas twice as many females are distracted by their GPS (practically 7%) in comparison with males (practically 4%).
What are folks doing on their telephones whereas driving?
Multiple-third (35%) answered that they by no means use their telephone whereas driving. The remaining 65% admitted to a wide range of actions:
Prime 5 Cellphone Actions Whereas Driving | Proportion of complete respondents (a number of decisions per respondent) |
1. Use the GPS
| 36.2% |
2. Obtain calls
| 35.8% |
3. Make calls
| 28.4% |
4. Examine texts
| 26.2% |
5. Reply to texts
| 17% |
For those who’re planning a highway journey with your loved ones, buddies or heading out solo, Erie Insurance coverage may help ensure you’re protected against the sudden.
For extra outcomes from the Erie Insurance coverage auto insurance coverage survey, see this infographic.
Methodology
This survey was performed on-line by Falls on behalf of Erie Insurance coverage, from February 12 via February 25, 2021, amongst 500 U.S. residents ages 18 and older. Falls established the sampling quotas, designed the questionnaire, tabulated the survey response, and managed the general venture. Falls used Dynata (Plano, TX) to manage the survey through the web, together with cellular gadgets, to Dynata’s captive U.S. panels who met the age, gender and regional demographic standards.
About Erie Insurance coverage
In response to A.M. Finest Firm, Erie Insurance coverage Group, based mostly in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the eleventh largest householders insurer and twelfth largest vehicle insurer in america based mostly on direct premiums written and the sixteenth largest property/casualty insurer in america based mostly on complete strains internet premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Finest Firm, has practically 6 million insurance policies in pressure and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance coverage Group is a FORTUNE 500 firm.
Information releases and extra details about Erie Insurance coverage Group can be found at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance coverage Group
