To
qualify for this study of Distracted and Drowsy Driving, persons age 16 or older
must drive a motor vehicle at least occasionally, regardless of holding a valid
driver’s license. About eight out of
ten (82%) drivers report that they usually drive a car or other motor vehicle
every day. An additional 14% drive several
days a week. Male drivers (86%) are
more likely than female drivers (78%) to report daily driving. Middle age drivers (those in their 30s through
64) report the greatest frequency of driving (86% daily), while just 63% of
those over 64 drives on a daily basis. [Figure
1-A] Not surprisingly, driving frequency
is impacted by employment status, with 92% of those employed full time reporting
daily driving, as compared to just 66% of those who are not currently employed.
Driver’s License
Approximately
2% of drivers report driving a motor vehicle without the benefit of a valid
driver’s license. Male drivers (3%)
and those ages 16-20 (8%) are most likely to report not having a valid driver’s
license. [Figure 1-B]
Commercial License
About fourteen percent (14%) of drivers
report having a commercial driver’s license. It is likely that there was some misunderstanding of the meaning
of a “commercial driver’s license” among youth age 16-20, as 19% of these drivers
report this type of license. Male drivers
are more likely to hold this type of license than are their female counterparts
(18% vs. 11%). [Figure 1-C]
Radar Detector
About four percent (4%) of drivers report
that they usually drive with a radar
detector in their vehicle, with males (6%) and younger drivers (9% of 16-20
year olds) more likely than others to do so. Use of a radar detector may indicate a propensity for speeding or
other types of unsafe driving behaviors. [Figure
1-E]