INScompanies Blog

According to National Survey Half the Victims of Aggressive Drivers Become Victimizers Themselves   

Meriden CT – December 5, 2006 |   Fully one-half of drivers who are subjected to aggressive driving behavior on the road respond with aggression of their own, thus risking a more serious confrontation.

According to a recently released national survey by car insurer Response Insurance, when a driver gets the finger, is cut off or tailgated, 50% of the victims respond with horn honking, yelling, cutting-off, and obscene gestures of their own.

The “Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey” revealed that 34% of drivers say they honk their horn at the aggressor, 27% yell, 19% give the finger back, 17% flash their headlights, and 7% mimic the initial aggressive driving behavior. 2% of drivers admit to trying to run the aggressor off the road. 

“Road rage is a two-way street,” noted Ray Palermo, director of public relations for Response Insurance. “It takes two people to fight. So, if you are subjected to aggressive driving, often the best way to ensure it does not get any worse is to just ignore it.” 

When it comes to aggressive responses, men are more likely than women to do so (54% vs. 46%), as are drivers age 18-24 (67%) versus drivers 65 and older (30%). Drivers with children are more likely to respond aggressively (59%) versus those without children (45%), and cell phone users (59%) versus those who do not use a cell phone while driving (39%). 

Response Insurance is a direct to the consumer auto insurer focusing on insuring safe, responsible people. The Company regularly provides to the public news and information regarding driver safety and transportation issues. They issue safety tips, reports, analyses, and conduct original research as a public service. This Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey of 1,000 adults was conducted 8/18-21/05. The survey has a margin of error of + / - 3%. This data is being released for the first time in this news release. 

Contact:
Ray Palermo
203-634-7251
rpalermo@response.com 

Meriden CT – April 18, 2006 |   One of the most frightening things about buying a new or used car is the possibility you just bought a “lemon.” But that lemon could be part of a much larger bunch, as some vehicle defects are common to an entire model or manufacturer. When that happens the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates and, when necessary, can issue a recall of the vehicle or part. Usually the recall will result in a repair at no cost to the owner.

“The concern we have is that the NHTSA doesn’t always hear about problems until thousands of the defective cars are already on the road,” said Ray Palermo, Director of Public Relations for Response Insurance, a national car insurer. “Safety related defects could put drivers and their passengers at serious risk, so owners who suspect their car has a manufacturers’ defect should report it immediately to the NHTSA.” The NHTSA reviews all complaints to determine if there is any trend that poses a safety risk.

According to Palermo, car owners now have the opportunity to file a report with the NHTSA online at www.safercar.gov, which also has information on current vehicle recalls. Complaints may also be filed by phone to 1-888-327-4236 or by mail to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, 400 7th Street SW, Washington DC 20590. 

Online Complaint Forms Available   

Response Insurance regularly provides to the public news and information regarding driver safety and transportation issues. The Company issues safety tips, reports, analyses, and conducts original research and sponsors national surveys as a public service to drivers, their passengers and pedestrians. Informational brochures are available from the company at their website: www.response.com.

Contact:
Ray Palermo
203-634-7251
rpalermo@response.com

Too Lazy – It Adds to the Excitement of Driving – Not Enough Time    
 
Meriden CT – March 14, 2006 |   A new national survey reveals that 57% of American drivers admit they don’t use their turn signal when changing lanes, but what is most startling are the excuses drivers gave.

According to Response Insurance, a national car insurer, 42% of those drivers say they don’t have enough time, 23% admit they are just plain “lazy,” 17% don’t signal because when they do, they forget to turn it off, 12% admit they are changing lanes too frequently to bother, 11% say it is not important, 8% say they don’t signal because other drivers don’t, and perhaps most disturbing 7% say forgoing the signal “adds excitement to driving.”

The Company identified several driver-types when it comes to ignoring turn signals – Impulsive, Lazy, Forgetful, Swervers, Ostriches, Followers, and the Dare Devils. 

“The bottom line is that most drivers are failing to see the importance of using their turn signals,” noted Mory Katz, Chairman & CEO of Response Insurance. “But, they are doing so at their own peril – and the peril of others – since their unanticipated actions cause crashes.”

The just released Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey also indicated that men are more likely than women to forgo their signal when changing lanes (62% vs. 53%), as are younger drivers (ages 18-24), 71% of whom report they don’t signal, as compared to 49% of older adults (ages 55-64).

Response Insurance is a direct to the consumer auto insurer focusing on insuring safe, responsible people. The Company regularly provides to the public news and information regarding driver safety and transportation issues. They issue safety tips, reports, analyses, and conduct original research as a public service. This Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey of 1,000 adults was conducted 8/18-21/05. The survey has a margin of error of + / - 3%.