A Report on Trends of Behaviors and Concerns of Maryland Drivers

WHAT:

The results of a seven-year survey of Maryland motorists have been released in a report by the University of Maryland School of Public Health in College Park.

From 2003 to 2009, approximately 850 licensed drivers from across the state were interviewed each year. The full results of the survey can be found at: http://www.dpch.umd.edu/research/Surveillance.pdf

Some highlights from the survey are:

• Motorists have become more likely to believe that they will be caught if they drink and drive, with the reported frequency of drinking and driving decreasing during the same period. Support has also grown for the use of mandatory sanctions for drunk drivers (e.g., fines, vehicle impoundment, ignition interlocks), along with a growing belief that the judicial system is too lenient on drunk drivers.
• Concerns about speeding and aggressive driving have increased, as have reported encounters with aggressive drivers. However, there has been no reported change in the prevalence of speeding or aggressive driving.
• Despite increases in the perceived likelihood of being caught by the police for drinking and driving, speeding or not wearing a seat belt, less than 40 percent of motorists currently think it’s likely they’d be caught and/or ticketed for these offenses.
• The number of drivers who use a cell phone also increased along with increased concerns about distracted driving, especially the use of a cell phone while driving. As of this year, more than 60 percent of Maryland motorists report talking and driving at least once a month.
• Reported seat belt usage has increased among motorists along with perceptions that one will be ticketed for not being buckled up while driving.

“High visibility enforcement campaigns, coupled with extensive media coverage are needed to get more people to drive slower and more carefully,” Beck said, adding that “while positive increases have been made over the past seven years, more intensive efforts will be needed to sustain these improvements."

MEDIA:

Media can interview Professor Kenneth Beck, Department of Public and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, 301-405-2527, kbeck1@umd.edu.

Click Here to Download the Seven Years of Surveillance PDF