TAMPA, Fla. — A new study from AAA found that in the year after travel almost shut down due to COVID-19, unsafe driving behaviors increased after three years of declines.
The new AAA study found the increasing unsafe driving behaviors included speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired due to cannabis or alcohol.
39 years ago, Linda Unfried's sister, Josie, was hit and killed by a drunk driver.
"I should have been in that car," said Unfried, who is also the co-founder of the Hillsborough County chapter of MADD. "The great-grandbaby was born. I wanted to call her and say, 'Josie she’s beautiful.' I can’t share those things with her."
It's even more painful for Unfried knowing problems behind the wheel may be climbing. The new AAA report found that unsafe driving behaviors increased from 2020 to 2021.
According to AAA, the number one unsafe behavior that increased was drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after "drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit." Nearly 24 percent of drivers admitted that fact in the AAA study.
“The reversal in the frequency of U.S. drivers engaging in risky driving behavior is disturbing,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While drivers acknowledge that certain activities like speeding and driving impaired are not safe, many engage in these activities anyway. This reckless attitude can be life-altering.”
Driving within an hour of consuming cannabis and driving at least 15 miles per hour over the speed limit ranked second and third among issues that grew from 2020 to 2021. The other unsafe driving area to see a double-digit increase from 2020 to 2021 was driving through red lights.
AAA claimed that as dangerous driving behaviors increased, so did traffic fatalities. NHTSA reported 42,915 people died in traffic accidents in 2021, a 10.5% increase from 38,824 fatalities in 2020.
“This is a wakeup call: slow down, minimize distractions when you’re behind the wheel, and never drive impaired," said Jenkins.
Advocates want people to take personal responsibility and make plans for how they're getting home.
“If you see someone who’s had too much to drink, take the keys away from them. Don’t be afraid," said Unfried. "We can’t continue to let this happen.”
Thursday, MADD held its 38th candlelight vigil to honor those impacted by drunk driving to attend. Dozens lined up to share memories and march, in silent reverence, for those lost and those left behind.
They're people like Tammy Rosian who lost her daughter Jennifer O'Boyle 14 years ago—her grandaughter Summer was in the car too.
"Worst day of my life," she said.
It took more than 30 surgeries that keep Summer Rosian—a true walking miracle—by her grandmother's side.
"A drunk driver hit me and mom head-on," said Summer.
