Young millennials between the ages of 19-24 are most likely to engage in dangerous behaviors that increase their risk of causing car crashes. Indiana is an at-fault state. This means that a driver who is responsible for causing an accident is also held financially responsible for the losses he or she causes.
AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Report
According to the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Report, 88 percent of millennials engage in dangerous driving behaviors, earning the group the top position on the list of riskiest drivers. This group also spends more time on the road than other generational groups, driving an average of 13,725 miles each year. This is 3 percent higher than Gen X and 8 percent higher than Baby Boomers. Millennials also receive more traffic violations than other generations.
Millennials’ Dangerous Behaviors
Even more alarming, many millennial drivers reported believing their dangerous driving behaviors are acceptable. These behaviors are responsible for an increase in traffic deaths in the United States.
- Texting and emailing behind the wheel. Smartphone use and other distracted driving behaviors are responsible for causing more accidents than any other reason among young adults. In 2015, distracted driving killed approximately 3,500 people according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About 66.1 percent of the millennials surveyed by AAA admitted reading texts and emails while driving during the past 30 days. Approximately 59 percent said they had sent a text or email while driving.
- Speeding and failure to signal. Millennials are more likely to engage in behaviors like speeding and failing to signal that earn them more traffic violations than other age groups. This is a trend that has continued to increase over time.
- Running red lights. AAA data showed that younger millennials were more likely to run red lights. Half of the millennial drivers surveyed admitted driving through a red light that they could have safely stopped for during the prior month. Of those surveyed, 14 percent reported believing it was acceptable to run through a red light.
- Driving vehicles that are poorly maintained. Unlike older generations, millennials are more likely to own cars that are not mechanically sound. These vehicles often have previous damage and are poorly maintained. This could lead to mechanical failures, such as the brakes not working or tires blowing out and causing loss of control.