FamousNYLover Posted May 21, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2009 41 Million Licensed Americans May Be Unfit for Roads, According to Fifth Annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test Most Knowledgeable Drivers in Idaho and Wisconsin, Least Knowledgeable in New York; Economic Concerns Trigger "Drive Less" Trends Across U.S. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 20, 2009) -- Results from the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test released today found that 20.1 percent of licensed Americans - amounting to roughly 41 million drivers on the road - would not pass a written drivers test exam if taken today. When probed on driving behavior, 30 percent of those surveyed say financial strains have triggered a desire to drive less and seek out new ways to save money. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090520/NY20022) To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/gmac/38505/'>http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/gmac/38505/ Overall, findings from the fifth annual survey indicate the number of drivers with knowledge of basic road rules is decreasing, with this year's test scores lower than last year's (76.6 percent vs. 78.1 percent). Idaho and Wisconsin drivers tied for first in the nation, with an average test score of 80.6 percent; New York drivers ranked last, with an average score of 70.5 percent. This is the second time Idaho ranked first and the second time New York has ranked last in the survey's five-year history. "When we began this campaign five years ago, we embarked on a mission to help drivers become more aware of the rules of the road," said Wade Bontrager, senior vice president, Affinity Division, GMAC Insurance. "We've seen the results ebb and flow, and this year, scores are down. This reiterates the fact that each and every one of us need to continually be brushing up on safe driving practices." In general, geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with the lowest average test scores in the Northeast, while the states in the Midwest held the highest averages. When comparing genders, men are still more likely to pass the test than women, but the gap is considerably smaller in 2009 (81 percent of males versus 79 percent of females) than in 2008 (87 percent of males versus 80 percent of females). Respondents continued to have difficulty on questions about yellow lights and safe following distances, while almost all drivers answered correctly what a solid line meant. Additional key findings from the 2009 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. The age group with the highest failure rates was young adults (18 to 24 years old). White males older than 45 received the highest average score. The Northeast had the lowest average test scores (74.5 percent), the South had the highest failure rate (41 percent). The Midwest had the highest average test scores (79 percent) and the lowest failure rates (15 percent). Idaho and Wisconsin replaced Kansas's 2008 ranking as most knowledgeable; New York replaced New Jersey's 2008 ranking as least knowledgeable. Survey Says: Economic Concerns Causing People to Drive Less In addition to the 20-question DMV exam, GMAC Insurance posed subsequent questions exploring participants' planned driving habits for the following year and their take on mileage-based auto insurance programs (pay-as-you-drive insurance). These findings reveal: Approximately 30 percent of drivers surveyed reported they plan on driving less within the following 12 months, with the primary reason being "worry over the economy" (74 percent). Twenty-four percent indicated they plan on driving less to "reduce expenses due to financial problems." Ninety-three percent of respondents had never heard of a "pay as you go insurance" pricing model for automobile insurance. However, one-in-three drivers (35 percent) would enroll in a "pay as you go insurance" program, such as the GMAC Insurance Low-Mileage Discount (OnStar.GMACInsurance.com), if their insurance company offered one. State Rankings Where are the most knowledgeable drivers in the nation? The following is a complete list of state rankings for the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. State Rankings Where are the most knowledgeable drivers in the nation? The following is a complete list of state rankings for the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. 1 ID 19 NM 37 LA 1 WI 20 NC 38 TN 3 MT 21 VA 38 MS 4 KS 22 IN 40 SC 5 SD 22 MI 40 MD 5 NE 24 AR 42 CT 7 UT 24 TX 43 FL 8 WY 26 AL 44 DC 8 IA 26 NV 45 MA 8 OR 28 WV 46 RI 8 MN 29 IL 47 GA 12 AK 30 AZ 48 CA 12 ND 31 ME 49 HI 14 VT 32 DE 50 NJ 15 CO 33 NH 51 NY 15 MO 34 OH 17 OK 35 KY 17 WA 36 PA The survey, which polled more than 5,000 licensed Americans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is designed to gauge driver knowledge by administering 20 actual questions taken from state Department of Motor Vehicles exams. The margin of error for the total sample surveyed is 1.4 percent. Get in the Driver's Seat: Take the Test Yourself GMAC Insurance encourages the public to put their skills to the test at http://www.gmacinsurance.com. Play a quirky driving game, take the written test itself, compare your score to the national average and challenge friends to top your score via email and Facebook. Also, see how your state ranked in previous years and, most importantly, brush up on safe driving tips. The GMAC Insurance survey was administered by TNS, a leading market information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and analysis. The national sample was comprised of 5,183 licensed drivers in the United States, aged 16-60+. For more information about TNS, please visit http://www.tns-us.com. For more information about GMAC Insurance coverage and to find a local independent agent, call 877-468-3466, or visit http://www.gmacinsurance.com. The GMAC Insurance Group is one of the largest automobile insurers in the United States and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services. GMAC Insurance Personal Lines offers a variety of property and casualty products, including personal auto, RV, motorcycle, commercial auto and homeowners insurance. With a nationwide network of claims professionals, local independent agents and a 24-hour, toll-free claims hotline available 365 days a year, GMAC Insurance provides superior claims service for its customers About GMAC Financial Services GMAC is a bank holding company with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. GMAC specializes in automotive finance, mortgage operations, insurance, commercial finance and online banking. As of March 31, 2009, the company had approximately $180 billion in assets and serviced 15 million customers around the world. Visit the GMAC media site at http://media.gmacfs.com for more information. Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/gmac/38505 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090520/NY20022 Source http://media.gmacfs.com/index.php?s=43&item=330 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Local Posted May 21, 2009 Share #2 Posted May 21, 2009 Well at least the survey proves what those of us who can drive correctly already know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INDman Posted May 21, 2009 Share #3 Posted May 21, 2009 Not too supriesed but I would have thought NJ was worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maserati7200 Posted May 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2009 Not too supriesed but I would have thought NJ was worse. Me too, Jersey is definitely worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted May 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 21, 2009 Not too supriesed but I would have thought NJ was worse. Not surprised at all by this but hey more drivers = more people buying cars and gas and they see that $$$...too bad all those cars are foreign cars.... In all seriousness I'm surprised massachusetts and Rhode Island didn't do worse. Those two states are among the WORST drivers I've ever seen. NY and NJ drivers to me seem like in general they know the rules of the road and have a feel for operating the car but they are aggressive (although in my opinion NY>NJ). Rhode Island and Mass drivers, many are clueless about the rules of the road and show poor ability to move the car. Just my 2c, I've driven in all four states I mentioned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoot178 Posted May 21, 2009 Share #6 Posted May 21, 2009 I've yet to see a gas station in Manhattan. And I agree with this article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted May 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 21, 2009 Some folks are really better off with the subway than the car. Don't forget, driving casually does not mean drag racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maserati7200 Posted May 21, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 21, 2009 I've yet to see a gas station in Manhattan. Go on 12th avenue downtown, I've seen a gas station there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted May 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 22, 2009 I live just blocks away from a gas station. In the East Village to boot. Same here. Mobil is on Pike and East Broadway. Matter of fact, it is just across the street from last week's fire incident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MottAvenueMan Posted May 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted May 22, 2009 Makes sense being that our DMV hires only the best backwards, lazy, shiftless, corrupt, chemically dependent doo-doo heads NY has to offer...which is too friggin' many.(NYCT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted May 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted May 22, 2009 I've yet to see a gas station in Manhattan. And I agree with this article. There are plenty. 61st and York. 96th and 1st. 34th and 11th or 12th, just to name a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted May 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted May 22, 2009 Makes sense being that our DMV hires only the best backwards, lazy, shiftless, corrupt, chemically dependent doo-doo heads NY has to offer...which is too friggin' many.(NYCT) I think it especially makes sense given that you can get a license without ever having driven on a high way (in theory) and that THIS ISN'T EVEN TESTED on the road test!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgedPolaris Posted June 8, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 8, 2009 Same here. Mobil is on Pike and East Broadway. Matter of fact, it is just across the street from last week's fire incident. The gas stations are there, just quite elusive sometimes! Perhaps it's the fact that they're generally shrouded by much larger buildings. I'm not sure if it's fair to say one state has the worst drivers... but I can certainly tell you something happens when you go over to NJ. NJ has more potholes, too. (Perhaps that's a subject for a different thread.) The one time I drove up through New England, I have to say that I've never seen that many people driving on the shoulder of the road like it was another lane. Someone told me that's even legal there. I bet that California has some bad drivers, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted June 8, 2009 Share #14 Posted June 8, 2009 Doesn't surprise me. Who has the right of way? The one who has the most horsepower, or the biggest SUV. When should you signal? Never, just turn, and lie you did when you get into an accident. When should you put on your headlights? Only at night. Most seem to forget when your wipers are on, you suppose to turn on your headlights by law. You can be ticketed for not doing so. Where should you stop at a stop sign, with painted lines in the street. How about without? Most would fail. Speaking of with I wonder when is my next defensive driving course time. Here is a question for you all. Outside of NYC, can you make a left turn on a red signal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted June 8, 2009 Share #15 Posted June 8, 2009 Outside of NYC, can you make a left turn on a red signal?Nope, it's right turns only on red signals if you have clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted June 8, 2009 Share #16 Posted June 8, 2009 when your wipers are on, you suppose to turn on your headlights by law. Now that I didn't know. I always did it just cause it seemed like a smart thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted June 9, 2009 Share #17 Posted June 9, 2009 It always amazes me people that don't have the sense to turn on their lights AT ALL when it's getting dark and they are presumably having trouble seeing. No wonder every car comes with daytime running lights nowadays. Soon they'll all come with daytime running tail lights because people forget to turn things on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted June 9, 2009 Relative to topic, according to this video, Red Hook driving school is not teaching student properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOB2RTO Posted June 9, 2009 Share #19 Posted June 9, 2009 Nope, it's right turns only on red signals if you have clearance. Wrong.... I found out in my defensive driving course, you can make a left on red. The rule is, you can only make a left on red, from a 1 way street onto another 1 way street. Downtown Yonkers is a good example of it, but almost nobody does it. From Hudson Street onto South B'way, (when there was a traffic light), and from South B'way onto Main Street....... It is federal motor vehicle law, that all states abide by to get federal funds..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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