Study Shows Lawyers are Worst Drivers

By: Justin Vasquez, Car Insurance Analyst
CheaperCarInsurance.com

Always on and always working, lawyers are among the worst drivers, according to a study released by Insurance.com. In looking at auto insurance quotes from customers, Insurance.com studied single, primary drivers who owned one vehicle over seven months to determine who were the best and worst drivers.

Lawyers topped the list, likely due to being easily distracted by work and cell phone usage. A whopping 44% of lawyers and judges said they had been in at least one prior accident when getting online auto insurance quotes.

Bartenders, dog groomers, judges, waitresses and business professionals also ranked high for past accidents, and are therefore considered the worst drivers. This study is by no means indicative of all people with these professions, but the trends among these types of professions shows that these people are more easily distracted while driving.

Cell phone use is likely the culprit for many who are in accidents. As a reaction to the steady increase of cell phone related accidents, more states are cracking down on cell phone usage and texting while driving by banning it and setting fines for breaking the law.

Other causes of high accident records may include:

• Being distracted while pets move in the vehicle (for dog groomers)
• Thinking about work and not focusing on the road
• Driving during times of heavy traffic
• Conversing with others in the vehicle

Where Bad Drivers Live

Studying auto insurance quotes can also tell us where bad drivers live. GMAC Insurance puts out its National Drivers Test every year. In 2009, New York and Washington DC ranked the lowest in terms of driving skills and knowledge.

The study showed that 20.1% of licensed Americans would not pass a driver’s test if they had to take it today. (This is where driver’s education courses can be of help in making you a safer driver). Drivers scored the worst in the Northeast and the best in the Midwest.

Drivers over 35 were most likely to score well, and men over 45 scored the best on the test. It’s no surprise that 18 to 24 year olds did the worst.

What About Good Drivers?

All these tests and surveys focus on the bad drivers, but they do mention who is doing the best in driving. Insurance.com found that athletes and homemakers were the best drivers in studying their auto insurance quotes.

Homemakers and stay at home moms may be used to the daily distraction that children provide, and may be able to still focus on driving with a car full of kids. And driving with children makes Mom less likely to take risks in the car.

Athletes are known for their focus, and it shows in how they drive. Perhaps they do not multitask as much as the other professions on the list, or maybe it is their desire to not let their team down that makes them cautious and safe drivers.

Back to the Midwest, where participants scored the best on GMAC’s National Drivers Test. The states that performed the best were:

• 1. Idaho
• 2. Wisconsin
• 3. Montana
• 4. Kansas
• 5. South Dakota

Beating the Odds

If you are studying to be a lawyer, take heart: this survey does not condemn you to being a bad driver. Turning off both your cell phone and your mind while driving can help you better focus on the road. The more attention you pay to the vehicles around you and driving conditions, the better prepared you will be to avoid an accident.

Whether you are a lawyer, a dog groomer or an athlete, you can get an auto insurance quote that will help you protect your vehicle in the event of an accident. Use CheaperCarInsurance.com’s easy Quote Generator to find the best rate on auto insurance.

Posted: February 22, 2010