National Sheriffs’ Association Releases July 4th Traffic Survey, Biggest Worries are Distracted, Impaired and Aggressive Driving
Most drivers feeling just as safe as before COVID-19, two-thirds say more people driving faster and more aggressively is reason for feeling less safe
(Alexandria, VA) – The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) released a national survey on traffic safety today, finding that drivers this July 4th weekend are concerned most about distracted, impaired and aggressive driving.
“The National Sheriffs’ Association continues to work to save lives and reduce crashes and injuries on our roads through traffic safety education and enforcement,” said NSA President Sheriff David Mahoney, Dane Co., WI.
“America’s sheriffs remind all drivers, especially during this long holiday weekend, that law enforcement is working to save lives through educating the public and understanding the concerns of citizens about impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers which law enforcement also share,” NSA Traffic Safety Committee Chairman Sheriff (ret.) John Whetsel, Oklahoma Co., OK, said.
The nationwide online survey of 1,213 adults, conducted from June 27 to June 30, 2020, found that most drivers (57%) are feeling just as safe now as they felt before the COVID-19 era. About one in five (22%) feels less safe, while a handful feels safer (13%).
When those feeling less safe were probed, an overwhelming two-thirds (69%) stated that more people driving faster and more aggressively as the reason for feeling less safe.
The survey asked for traffic safety priorities as Americans get back on the road. Respondents were asked what they believed to be the top-three traffic safety priorities/concerns as Americans get back out on the road in the COVID-19 era. The biggest concerns cited were distracted driving (texting, etc.) and impaired driving (alcohol, drugs, etc.); two in five (43%) are concerned with aggressive driving/speeding.
Distracted driving (e.g., texting) (58%)
Impaired driving (e.g., alcohol, drugs) (56%)
Aggressive driving – speeding (43%)
Failure to obey traffic signals/signs (e.g., running red lights/stop signs) (34%)
Fatigued driving (16%)
Increased exposure to COVID-19 during traffic enforcement stops (20%)
Unsafe lane changing (13%)
Unsafe driving in inclement weather (12%)
Improper use - non-use of a seat belt (12%)
Improper use - non-use of turn signal (8%)
About the Survey
The National Sheriffs’ Association/TechnoMetrica survey is a nationwide online survey of 1,213 adults, conducted from June 27 to June 30. The respondents were drawn from TechnoMetrica’s panel partners. Panel samples are convenience samples and are not probability samples and hence the concept of margin of error does not apply. For guidance, a probability sample of 1,213 adults would have a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The results of the survey were weighted by age, gender, race, and region to mirror census demographics.
About the National Sheriffs’ Association:
The National Sheriffs’ Association is one of the largest associations of law enforcement professionals in the U.S., representing more than 3,000 elected Sheriffs across the nation, and with a total membership of more than 14,000. NSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among Sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal justice. Throughout its eighty-year history, NSA has also served as an information resource for all law enforcement, as well as State governments and the Federal government.
