News Article

NJ Drivers Have Some Bad Habits

By Phil Gregory, WBGO News
August 6, 2012

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A new Fairleigh Dickinson PublicMind poll shows New Jersey drivers still have some bad habits.

One in three drivers in the Garden State say they go 70 miles an hour on the highway most of the time. Fairleigh Dickinson political science professor Dan Cassino says 80 percent of those questioned believe they’re likely to get a ticket for speeding.

 “So this doesn’t seem like it’s carelessness, but it just seems like a calculated risk on the part of these drivers. They think they can speed, and if they get ticketed it’s going to be worth the extra time they make up. They’re generally wrong, but it’s the decision they’re making”

19 percent of New Jersey drivers admit they still text while behind the wheel.

“To some extent it’s because they don’t think they’re going to get caught. I think drivers also regard it as something that is less dangerous simply because they feel like they can do it faster. If I’m on my phone having a conversation I might be on my phone distracted for ten minutes, but if I’m just texting I’m only distracted for 30 or 40 seconds.”

Cassino says most Garden State motorists consider their driving skills to be above average so they think they can get away with the risky behavior.

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