Press release
Erie Insurance Survey Finds Even though Texting While Driving is Banned in Most States, 27% of Americans Think it's Considered Socially Acceptable
New research also reveals percentage of passengers who tell drivers to stop texting and whether it makes a difference ERIE, Pa., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
About this update from Erie Indemnity Company
[{"type":"text","content":"New research also reveals percentage of passengers who tell drivers to stop texting and whether it makes a difference \nERIE, Pa., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Some experts believe that for society at large to stop a negative behavior, it has to become socially unacceptable. So where does society stand on texting while driving? To encourage safe driving by raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, Erie Insurance commissioned a national survey conducted online by The Harris Poll to find out.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nThe survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults asked people not for their personal opinions, but rather how they think society as a whole views the behavior. Almost three-quarters (73%) think texting while driving is considered socially unacceptable – but that leaves 27% who think it's considered socially acceptable – either very (9%) or somewhat (18%). \nAs for their inclination to speak up, nine out of 10 Americans (90%) say if they were a passenger in a motor vehicle and the driver started texting, they would be likely to tell them to stop. Why wouldn't the remaining 10% say something? Thirty-seven percent don't feel it's their place to tell a driver what to do, while one in five (21%) say it's because they text while driving, too.\nBelow are the top 5 reasons passengers wouldn't tell a driver to stop texting.\nI don't feel it's my place to tell the driver what to do.\n37 %\nI wouldn't want to start an argument.\n33 %\nIt would be uncomfortable to say something.\n32 %\nI do it, too.\n21 %\nIt doesn't bother me when someone texts while driving.\n21 %\nI wouldn't want to offend the driver.\n13 %\nOne in five American drivers (20%) say they've been told by a passenger to stop texting while they were driving. Of those, 10% kept doing it anyway. About half (47%) stopped but did it again later when that passenger was not in the vehicle with them. Forty-three percent, however, stopped texting and never did it again.\n\"We were encouraged to see that passengers can make a difference in getting drivers to change their behavior,\" said Bob Buckel, vice president & product manager, Erie Insurance. \"The more people speak up about unsafe distracted driving behaviors like texting, the less people will do it and the safer roads will be for everyone.\"\nTo help people who wouldn't speak up because they wouldn't want to...