TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................. 1
DESIGN ......................................................................................................................................... 1
SAMPLE PROFILE ........................................................................................................................ 2
TIME OF COMMUTE TO WORK (%) ................................................................................... 4
GENERAL DRIVING HABITS ...................................................................................................... 4
TYPE OF VEHICLE MOST FREQUENTLY DRIVEN (%) .................................................... 5
MOST SERIOUS ROAD SECURITY CONCERNS .............................................................. 7
IN PUERTO RICO (%) ........................................................................................................... 7
PERSONAL DRIVING EXPERIENCES ..................................................................................... 8
ROAD SAFETY / CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO .............................................................. 10
CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING .................................................................................... 12
USE OF HANDS FREE DEVICES ............................................................................................ 14
USAGE FREQUENCY OF HANDS FREE DEVICES............................................................. 15
OBSERVED USE OF HAND HELD CELL PHONES ............................................................ 16
SAFETY PERCEPTION: HAND HELD VS. HANDS FREE ................................................. 17
TEXTING ..................................................................................................................................... 18
FREQUENCY OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING .................................................................... 18
OBSERVED TEXTING ACTIVITY WHILE DRIVING .......................................................... 19
CELL PHONE / TEXTING: OTHER ISSUES ........................................................................ 20
PROBABILITY OF RECEIVING A FINE FOR. . . (While driving) ....................................... 22
AWARENESS OF MEDIA CAMPAIGNS FOR: ...................................................................... 23
DISTRACTION / CELL PHONE USE ..................................................................................... 23
SLOGAN RECALL FOR CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING CAMPAIGNS .................... 24
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING STUDY 2015
INTRODUCTION
The PUERTO RICO TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION (CST by its Spanish acronym)
commissioned TMC Qualitative (TMCQ) to conduct a study to better understand driving
habits in Puerto Rico and also, measure the effectiveness of media campaigns on several
issues, such as seat belt usage, speeding, safety / distraction and driving under the
influence of alcohol.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The study was formulated to fulfill the following objectives:
To generate information about habits and attitudes of drivers in Puerto Rico , and
the degree to which these occur among Puerto Rico drivers, regarding:
o Seatbelt usage
o Speeding
o Distracted Driving
o Driving under the influence of alcohol
o Measure effectiveness of educational campaigns regarding before
mentioned issues.
DESIGN
A total of 600 person to person interviews were conducted among licensed drivers,
16 years* of age or older, that drive a motor vehicle, at least on several occasions
per week.
Interviews were conducted at participants’ homes.
Fieldwork was conducted during the month of June, 2015.
_________ *In consideration of the legal drinking age, two questions were not presented to participants younger than 18 years:
Q23. How many drinks can you have and still be able to drive?
Q24. In the past 30 days, have you driven after drinking alcohol?*
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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SAMPLE PROFILE
A comprehensive profile follows, describing population under study. There are slightly
more males, since the population under study is among individuals -- 16 and older -- who
have a drivers license.
SAMPLE PROFILE
Approximately 67% of total sample work, at least on a part-time basis; and 96% of those
who work report they drive to work.
The average commute to work is 11 miles (mean); taking an average trip time of
approximately 34 minutes. Both parameters show outliers:
12% drive more than 20 miles
35% drive more than 30 minutes; 16% more than 40 minutes.
51 49
10 25
21 31
14
29 20 20
17 15
54 13
12 21
GENDER: Male
Female
AGE GROUP: 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59
60 OR OLDER
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS: San Juan / Metro
Caguas / East Arecibo / North
Ponce / South Mayaguez / West
WORK STATUS: Work full time
Work part time Retired
Not employed
The median age is approximately in the 40 to 42 range.
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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COMMUTE TO WORK:
Average miles driven: 11 miles
o Mean: 11 miles
o Median: 8 miles (50% drive
over 8 miles)
Average time to reach work 33.9 minutes
o Mean: 33.9 minutes
o Median: 20 minutes (50%
drive over 20 minutes)
MILES DRIVEN TO WORK (%)
44
23
14
8
8
4
1 TO 5
6 TO 10
11 TO 15
16 TO 20
21 TO 30
MORE THAN 30
Base: Those that work and drive to work.
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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TIME OF COMMUTE TO WORK (%)
GENERAL DRIVING HABITS
A large majority drive on a daily basis; about 8 of every 10 respondents report driving
“daily”; 91% either “daily” or “almost daily”.
DRIVING FREQUENCY (%)
19
14
17
8
15
15
4
6
10
1 TO 10
11 TO 15
15 TO 20
20 TO 25
25 TO 30
30 TO 35
35 TO 40
40 TO 45
MORE THAN 45
83
9
8
Everyday
"Almost" daily
Less frequently
Base: Those that work and drive to work.
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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Base: Total sample.
Passenger cars (62%) and SUVs (33%) are the types of vehicles most driven by
respondents.
TYPE OF VEHICLE MOST FREQUENTLY DRIVEN (%)
Base: Total sample.
About 6 of every 10 drivers interviewed describe themselves as having “average”
driving skills. Some 42% as “above” average.
DRIVING SKILLS (Self evaluation) (%)
Base: Total sample.
o Males are most likely to consider themselves above average drivers (48%).
o This is also the case for the 25 to 34 year old age group.
62
33
2
1
4
Passenger car
SUV
Van
Mini Van
Truck / Pick up
42
57
1
Above average
Average
Below average
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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When asked to compare their driving skills with their spouse’s / partner’s,
approximately 60% consider they are at par.
COMPARED TO SPOUSE / PARTNER, PARTICIPANT
CONSIDERS DRIVING SKILL TO BE. . . (%)
Base: Those that reported having a spouse / partner
When asked to choose between Puerto Rico, Florida, New York and the Dominican
Republic, which, in their opinion, has the worst drivers, half of respondents (50%)
say it is Puerto Rico. The Dominican Republic followed with 36%.
WHICH HAS THE WORST DRIVERS (%)
20
60
20
Worse than spouse / partner
At par
Better than spouse / partner
50
36
4
1
10
Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic
New York
Florida
Does not know
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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Base: Total sample.
Respondents identified which concerns / situations they consider as “most serious”
regarding driving in Puerto Rico.
MOST SERIOUS ROAD SECURITY CONCERNS
IN PUERTO RICO (%)
Base: Total sample.
DUI, distracted driving, speeding, poor road conditions and reckless driving in
general are considered most critical. DUI and distracted driving are virtually at
par.
29
26
15
12
11
3
4
Use of Alcohol / DUI
Distracted driving / use of cell phones
Speeding
Reckless driving
Poor road conditions
Bicycles / motorcycles
Others
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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PERSONAL DRIVING EXPERIENCES
According to respondents, in the past 3 years. . .
o A total of 11% have been involved in some sort of auto accident.
. . . 14% in the 35 to 44 group
. . . only 2% in the 60 or older or older segment
. . . 8% females / 13% males
o Approximately 11% has been fined for driving above the legal speed limit.
. . . 14% males / 7% females
. . . 20% in the 16 to 24 year old age group
. . . 17% in the 25 to 34 year old age group
. . . 6% in the 45 to 59 year old segment
. . . 2% in the 60 year or older age group
o Some 17% admit driving after consuming alcohol.
. . . 20% males / 14% females
. . . 12% the 18 to 24 year old and 45 to 59 year old age groups.
. . . 6% in the 60 year old or older age group.
o A total of 42% report having sent a text message while driving.
. . . 62% in the 25 to 34 year old age group
. . . 55% in the 35 to 44 year old age group
. . . 28% in the 45 to 59 year old age group
. . . 17% in the 60 year old or older age group.
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING
Findings 2015
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
10
ROAD SAFETY / CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO
As presented in the Sample Profile section of this report, the perception of driving habits exhibited on the roads in Puerto Rico is quite poor.
Half of all participants identify “Puerto Rico” (50%) as the place where driving habits are worse (“has the worst drivers”); the Dominican Republic followed with 36%.
WORST DRIVERS AMONG THE FOLLOWING PLACES
Base: Total sample.
50
36
4 1
10
Puerto Rico Dominican Republic
New York Florida Do not know
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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Also, the greatest concerns expressed by interviewees are the use of alcohol
/ DUI, distracted driving (including use of cell phones), speeding reckless
driving in general and poor road conditions.
MOST SERIOUS ROAD SECURITY CONCERNS
IN PUERTO RICO (%)
Base: Total sample.
DUI, distracted driving, speeding, poor road conditions and reckless driving in
general are considered most critical. DUI and distracted driving are virtually at
par.
29
26
15
12
11
3
4
Use of Alcohol / DUI
Distracted driving / use of cell phones
Speeding
Reckless driving
Poor road conditions
Bicycles / motorcycles
Others
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
A total of 95% of all participants own cell phones. This incidence in the 16
to 24 years old age segment is a high 98%. All segments studied in terms of
gender and age, have incidences of over 90%.
OWN CELL PHONE
Of those who own cell phones, 7 out of every 10 ( 71%) admit to using cell
phones while driving. This is as high as 86% in the 25 to 34 years old age
group and as low as 45% in the 60 years or older age segment.
CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
Base: Those who own cell phones.
95 93
96 98
91
96 97
91
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
71 71 71 72 86
75 69
45
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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Half of those who use their phones when driving report doing so “very often”(22%) or
“sometimes” (28%). A total of 29% “never” use their phones while driving.
FREQUENCY OF CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
Base: Those who own cell phones.
The groups with highest usage frequency, based of “use very often”, are the 25 to 34
years old age segment (34%) and 16 to 24 years old age segment (28%).
FREQUENCY OF CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
(Use “very often”)
Base: Those who use cell phones while driving.
22
28
22
29
Very Often Sometimes Rarely Never
22 25
19
28
34
24
15
6
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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USE OF HANDS FREE DEVICES
Among participants who own a cell phone, 70% have some sort of “hands free”
device, being the 35 to 44 years old age group the one with highest incidence; 82%.
On the other hand the oldest group (60 years or older age group) has the lowest,
43%.
OWN HANDS FREE DEVICE
Base: Those who own cell phones.
70 66 73 70
79 82
65
43
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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USAGE FREQUENCY OF HANDS FREE DEVICES
Close to 9% of drivers who own hands free devices, “never” use them while
driving / using cell phones.
On the other hand, 60% use them “always” while driving; 78% “always” or
“most of the time”.
USAGE FREQUENCY OF HANDS FREE DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING
Base: Those that own a hands free device
USAGE FREQUENCY OF HANDS FREE DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING – (Use “Always”)
Base: Those that own a hands free device
60
18 14 9
Always Most of the time Sometimes Never
60 60 60 64 61 59 62
43
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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OBSERVED USE OF HAND HELD CELL PHONES
Almost 7 out of every 10 (66%) participants report “very often” seeing
people talking on a hand held cell phone while driving; 90% estimate
observing this behavior either “very often” or “sometimes”.
Only 3% report “never” observing this behavior.
FREQUENCY OF OBSERVING USE OF
HAND HELD CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING
Base: Total sample.
66
24
7 3
Very often Sometimes Rarely Never
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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SAFETY PERCEPTION: HAND HELD VS. HANDS FREE
The use of hands free devices / phones while driving is definitely perceived
as a safer alternative than using a hand held one.
Some 84% are of the opinion that hands free phones are safer.
SAFER ALTERNATIVE FOR CELL PHONE USE
Base: Total sample.
5
84
11
Hand Held Hands Free Both equally dangerous
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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TEXTING
A total of 42% of respondents report having sent a text message while
driving in the last three years.
The 25 to 34 year old and the 35 to 44 year old age groups show the highest
incidence.
TEXTING INCIDENCE – PAST THREE YEARS
Base: Total sample.
FREQUENCY OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
About half (54%) of those who text while driving, do not do it very often,
reporting they “rarely” do so.
However, a total of 13% do so “very often”; 31% “sometimes”, exposing
themselves, quite frequently, to possible accidents due to this behavior.
42 44 41 46
62 55
28
17
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
19
FREQUENCY OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
Base: Those that text and drive. .
OBSERVED TEXTING ACTIVITY WHILE DRIVING
About 90% of all respondents report observing other drivers texting; 46% see this
“very often”.
FREQUENCY OF OBSERVING TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
Base: Total sample.
13
31
54
2
Very Often Sometimes Rarely Did not answer
46
31
14 10
Very Often Sometimes Rarely Did not answer
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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CELL PHONE / TEXTING: OTHER ISSUES
There is a clear knowledge that both, cell phone use and texting, while
driving is an illegal activity in Puerto Rico.
WHILE DRIVING. . .
CELL PHONE USE IS…
TEXTING IS…
Base: Total sample.
1
97
2 LEGAL ILLEGAL DO NOT KNOW
1
98
1 LEGAL ILLEGAL DO NOT KNOW
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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About 56% of all participants feel that a $50.00 fine for cell phone use or
texting while driving is insufficient as a deterrent to these risky activities.
$50.00 FINE FOR CELL PHONE USE / TEXTING
WHILE DRIVING IS. . .
Base: Total sample.
56
41
3
NOT ENOUGH ENOUGH / ADEQUATE DO NOT KNOW / NO ANSWER
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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PROBABILITY OF RECEIVING A FINE FOR. . . (While driving)
Use of a hand held phone:
o There is a clear perception that being fined for using a cell phone
while driving is quite likely.
o Approximately 78% feel it would be “very likely” to be fined for this
activity.
LIKELIHOOD OF BEING FINED FOR USING
HAND HELD PHONE WHILE DRIVING
Base: Total sample.
Also, being fined for texting and driving is considered highly likely.
LIKELIHOOD OF BEING FINED FOR TEXTING
WHILE DRIVING
Base: Total sample.
78
16 6 1
Very Likely Somewhat Likely
Not Very Likely Not at all Likely
76
13 9 1
Very Likely Somewhat Likely
Not Very Likely Not at all Likely
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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AWARENESS OF MEDIA CAMPAIGNS FOR:
DISTRACTION / CELL PHONE USE
About 57% of all participants recalled having seen or heard messages about distractions
and / or cell phone use while driving in the past 30 days.
This incidence is lower in the youngest group (16 to 24 years old) and the
oldest (60 or more years old).
UNAIDED RECALL OF CAMPAIGNS
ABOUT USING CELL PHONES / DISTRACTIONS
WHILE DRIVING – (Last 30 days)
Base: Total sample.
57 54 59
51 56
61 60
50
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
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SLOGAN RECALL FOR CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING CAMPAIGNS
A total of 46% of participants who recalled campaigns for Distraction / Cell
phone use while driving, also recalled slogans used.
RECALL FOR ANY SLOGAN
FROM DISTRACTION / CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
CAMPAIGN
Base: Those that recalled campaigns.
SLOGAN RECALL
CELL PHONES / DISTRACTIONS CAMPAIGNS
Base: Those that recalled campaigns.
The youngest age groups have a higher awareness level when
compared to the norm (62% vs. 46%). These are also the age
groups with highest incidence of texting while driving.
46
54
RECALL DO NOT RECALL
46 49 44
62 53
37 52
22
TOTAL Males Females 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-59 60 +
PUERTO RICO ROAD SAFETY / DISTRACTED DRIVING 2015
25
Those that recalled slogans, mentioned / recalled the following:
CELL PHONES: %
Ojos en el celular, no son ojos para guiar 26
No uses el celular para guiar 12
Usar el celular mientras guías va contra la ley 7
Al guiar, frena el celular 7
Manos libres para que no haya accidentes 5
Si guías, no uses el celular 2
No seamos nosotros los que atendamos tu
llamada
2
TEXTING:
No textees mientras guías 31
Si texteas mientras guías, serás multado 4
Textear puede esperar 2
Todo empezó con un texto. . . 1