B.C. Drivers Come Clean.
Ipsos Reid survey uncovers driver’s behaviours behind the wheel
The average B.C. driver spends 10.9 hours in the car a week, so naturally driving smart should be a priority. Driving smart can affect the price you pay for insurance, how much gas you use and your impact on the environment, and a recent Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by ICBC shows that many drivers are missing out on those benefits.
Nearly all (96 per cent) drivers admit to engaging in at least one of the gas wasting activities tested. The most common activities include letting their car idle for more than 10 seconds and driving at speeds of 10 to 20 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Nearly all drivers admit to participating in some sort of distracting behavior while driving, and 17 per cent of these drivers claim to participating in more than one distracting behavior at a time. Eating and/or drinking behind the wheel took the top spot in terms of distractions with 73 per cent of drivers admitting to it. Other major distractions include smoking, fighting with passengers and reading. Whether we realize it or not, these types of behaviors hinder our driving ability and our alertness to what is going on around us.
While younger drivers (ages 18 – 25) are more likely to participate in distracting activities while driving, this age group is also more likely (94 per cent) to have taken at least one measure to save money on gas in the past year including carpooling and taking alternate forms of transportation. Other great ways to save on gas are to regularly check your tire pressure, coast down hills, and keep a minimum amount of “junk” in your trunk. Interestingly, 23 per cent of drivers have not taken any measure to save money on gas.
In thinking ahead to their next vehicle purchase, nearly all (92 per cent) say that fuel efficiency will be a key consideration. Small cars and hybrids lead the way when consumers chose what category their next car would fall under. And exactly half of all drivers say their next vehicle will consume less gas than their current car.
In the meantime, most BC drivers are taking care of their current vehicles. More than 70 per cent get their cars tuned up at least every six months if not more often, and more than 85 per cent check their tire pressure at least every few months.
Changes do not happen over night, but by incorporating a few minor details in our daily commute, we can help the environment and save money. All we have to do is drive smart.
The survey was conducted by Ipsos-Reid on behalf of ICBC in 2009.
Did you know?
- Fifty-one per cent of us drive when we could have walked.
- Twenty-four per cent of us drive for the sake of driving around.
- Thirty-eight per cent of us use a drive-thru even though parking our car and going inside would be faster.
- Thirty per cent of us do not plan our trips.
- Twenty-nine per cent of us quickly accelerate from stops.
- Sixty-nine percent of us like to sing while driving.
- Seventeen per cent of us have admired our reflection in the rearview mirror while driving.
- Twenty-three per cent of us keep the air conditioning off on hot days to save gas.
- Thirteen per cent of us have worked from home to save gas.
- Twenty-seven per cent of us say that our next car will be a small, fuel efficient car.
Drive Smart Save Green Survey