According to a survey sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, more than half of U.S. motorists say they have used a cell phone while driving, but nine out of 10 say it should be illegal to do so. The survey reveals amazing things that people do while driving, including changing clothes and personal grooming.
Of the 356 respondents who said they have talked on a hand-held cell phone while driving, 43% said it should be illegal to do so. Of the 315 respondents who have talked on a hands-free cell phone while driving, 11% said it should be illegal to do so. An overwhelming 80% of the 133 respondents who have texted while driving, said that it should be illegal. Almost a third of younger drivers (ages 18 to 34 years) said they have texted while driving.
Although 77% of respondents have observed other motorists apply makeup, shave and brush their hair, only 8% admitted to engaging in such personal grooming activities behind the wheel. In addition, 18% of respondents have seen others change their clothes while driving, but only 3% admitted to doing so themselves.
Summaries of Survey Results:
Which of the following activities have you engaged in while driving?
- Eating or drinking - 63%.
- Changing CDs, radio stations or songs on an mp3 player - 57%.
- Using a cell phone - 51%.
- Hand-held - 36%.
- Hands-free - 31%.
- Texting - 13%.
- Arguing with unruly children - 19%.
- Personal grooming (makeup, shaving, brushing hair) - 8%.
- Changing clothes - 3%.
Which of the following activities have you observed other motorists doing?
- Using a cell phone - 97%.
- Hand-held - 93%.
- Hands-free - 78%.
- Texting - 75%.
- Eating or drinking - 90%.
- Personal grooming (makeup, shaving, brushing hair) - 77%.
- Changing CDs, radio stations or songs on an mp3 player - 62%.
- Arguing with unruly children - 62%.
- Changing clothes - 18%.
Which of the following activities should be illegal while driving?
- Using a cell phone - 90%.
- Texting - 87%.
- Hand-held - 66%.
- Hands-free - 28%.
- Changing clothes - 79%.
- Personal grooming (makeup, shaving, brushing hair) - 69%.
- Arguing with unruly children - 24%.
- Eating or drinking - 21%.
- Changing CDs, radio stations or songs on an mp3 player - 17%.
The telephone survey of 1,000 Americans was conducted in May by Opinion Research Corp.