Women Are Applying Make-Up and Men Are Shaving While Commuting
7 September 1999
Farmers Insurance Group National Survey Indicates Men Are Applying Make-Up and Women Are Shaving While Commuting to and from Work LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 -- Vanity is alive and well for both sexes on America's
roadways. A new national survey by Farmers Insurance Group reveals that both
men and women are getting clean, close shaves and applying make-up while commuting
to work.
According to the Farmers survey, five and a half percent of men and 2.1
percent of women admit to shaving while commuting. More than 18 percent
(18.7%) of women and 1.3 percent of men are applying make-up, and 8 percent of
men and women style their hair on the way to and from work.
"Busy lifestyles have resulted in drivers making the most of their idle
time in the car," says Diane Tasaka, Director of Corporate Communications for
Farmers Insurance Group. "The problem is that these distractions make the
driver inattentive and greatly increase the chance of a collision."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
inattentive driving resulted in nearly 4,000 fatal crashes (3,960) in 1997
(the most recent statistics available) and even more fatalities (4,474).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks inattentive driving as
the fourth highest contributing factor relating to fatal crashes.
Nearly 35 percent of Americans drive less than 15 minutes to work each
day, yet drivers across the country are squeezing plenty into their daily
commutes. In addition to applying make-up and shaving, Americans are doing
everything from reading newspapers or books to changing their clothes while on
the road.
The survey shows that one out of every ten people on the road admit to
reading newspapers or books while driving, while 5.6 percent admit to changing
their clothes. Dashboard drummers make up 21.7 percent of the American
driving population, and 30.6 percent talk on their cellular phones.
Many drivers use their commutes for self-improvement or family
togetherness. More than 55 percent (55.7%) of the population use drive time
as a brainstorming session or for mental organization. Nearly one third of
the drivers (32.7 percent) meditate, and 15 percent find their commutes to be
quality, non-interrupted time with their children. Sixteen percent take
advantage of the extra time to listen to books on tape.
Despite all of the distractions, 48.5 percent of the driving population
see themselves as excellent drivers and 41.4 percent claim to be good drivers.
The older the driver, the more confident he or she is. Forty one percent of
18-34 year olds rank themselves as excellent drivers, while 64 percent of
people 65 years and older say they are excellent drivers. Only one percent of
the population admits to being poor drivers.
Additional survey results:
* The lower the driver's income, the more likely they are to read
newspapers and books on the road. Nearly 22 percent (21.7%) of drivers with
household incomes less than $25,000 admit to reading the newspaper and books,
while only 5.2 percent of drivers with household incomes over $100,000 read
while driving.
* Over twenty-nine percent (29.2%) of drivers with $100,000 plus incomes
are dashboard drummers, keeping the beat by playing imaginary drums on their
dashboards and steering wheels. Only 19 percent of those with incomes less
than $25,000 are dashboard drummers.
* The more money drivers make, the more likely they are to listen to
books on tape. Over 21 percent (21.3%) of drivers with incomes over $100,000
listen to audio books, while only 10.8 percent of drivers with incomes less
than $25,000 listen.
Farmers' national survey was conducted with a sample of 1,000 consumers
nationwide and has a margin of error +/- 5 percent.
Farmers offers safety tips for commuting. These include:
* Remain focused on driving and traffic conditions at all times.
* Prepare for your day (shaving, make-up, hair, etc.) prior to leaving
for work.
* Get plenty of sleep to avoid drowsiness on the road.
* When commuting long distances, take rest breaks.
* Avoid medication that may result in drowsiness.
* Do not drive after drinking alcohol.
* Allow plenty of time to get to work on time.
* Remain calm and avoid aggressive drivers.
* Always wear safety belts.
Farmers supports a number of organizations committed to promoting safe
driving, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety.
Farmers is the nation's third-largest home and auto insurer.
Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 38 states, Farmers provides
home, auto, business, and life insurance to more than 8 million households.
