Like We Didn't Already Know? Study Shows 36 Million Licensed Americans Unfit To Drive
Results from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test indicate that one in six drivers on the road -- roughly 36 million licensed Americans -- would not pass their written DMV exam if taken today. The third annual survey by GMAC Insurance gauges driver knowledge of the rules of the road by testing licensed Americans on actual questions from state DMV license exams.
According to this year's results, New York drivers ousted Rhode Island by ranking last in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on driver knowledge.
Idaho, on the other hand, topped the list and dethroned Oregon's tenure at first place as the most knowledgeable drivers in the United States. While the national average score was 77.1 percent, New Yorkers had an average of 71 percent and the highest failure rates (36 percent); Idaho had an average score of 81.7 percent. In general, geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with Arkansas, Minnesota, Kansas and Wisconsin ranking in the top five and New Jersey, Washington, DC, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the bottom five among all states.
"All Americans need a refresher course when it comes to basic driving rules," said Gary Kusumi, CEO and president, GMAC Insurance - Personal Lines. "Being a safe driver is about conduct, judgment and knowledge. We're hoping this year's results encourage people to arm themselves with the knowledge they need to stay safe."
Casey Mears, driver of the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, said that everyone can benefit from getting back to the basics of safe driving.
"The 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test shows me that too many Americans are coming up short when it comes to knowing the rules of the road," Mears said. "Whether you're on the race track or in the real world, it's about being safe, respecting other drivers and being educated about how to handle certain situations."
For Americans, Yellow Means Go ... And Age Matters
As in every year, respondents completed 20 questions drawn from actual DMV tests. GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test respondents found two questions particularly vexing this year, driving scores down across the board. Eighty- one percent couldn't identify the proper following distance from the car in front of them (correct answer: two-seconds). Even more (84 percent) couldn't identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (correct answer: stop if it is safe to do so).
Other points of interest drawn from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test include:
-- With Age Comes Wisdom: The older the driver, the higher the test
score. Drivers 35+ years old were most likely to pass.
-- More than half of respondents (55 percent) don't know how many feet to
signal before making right or left turns.
-- More than 2 in 5 drivers (46 percent) are unaware of the meaning of a
diamond-shaped sign (warning sign).
-- Fortunately, nearly all respondents (98 percent) know what to do when
an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches, what to do when
hydroplaning and the meaning of a solid yellow line.
Survey Says: Geography Means Everything
-- Illinois, Georgia, DC, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode
Island and Massachusetts were the least knowledgeable states overall,
with average scores lower than 75 percent.
-- Idaho and Alaska were the most knowledgeable, with average scores over
81 percent.
-- Regions displaying the highest failure rates were the South Atlantic
(20.8 percent) and New England (15.7 percent).
The test was administered by TNS, a major market information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and analysis. TNS is also a leader in social and political polling and a top supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, and TV and radio audience measurement services. A national sample of 5,175 total licensed respondents, aged 16-60+, balanced to the latest U.S. Census data were given a 20-question test simulating the experience of taking standard written drivers test, with questions taken verbatim from DMV tests (but not state specific). For more information about TNS, please visit www.tns-global.com.
Think you're smarter than the average driver?
GMAC Insurance encourages the public to take the test at www.gmacinsurance.com. Compare your score to the national average, see how your state ranked in previous years, challenge a friend to test their skills and brush up on safe driving tips.
Source: GMAC Insurance
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