Gasbuddy: Texas drivers 4th in road ‘aggression’
Published 8:32 am Wednesday, April 25, 2018
By Ken Stickney
A study by a consumer gas price website suggests that Texas drivers rank among the most aggressive in the U.S.
Gasbuddy.com, based in Boston, says California, Connecticut and Georgia drivers are most aggressive, practicing what the website suggests are the cardinal sins of aggressive driving: speeding, rapid acceleration and braking. The state right behind them for aggressive driving: Texas.
“Our findings indicate that states with densely populated cities and high levels of congestion are where motorists are more inclined to drive aggressively,” said Patrick DeHaan, Gasbuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, in an issued statement.
“And with gas prices expected to rise well into the summer months, simply being aware of how you drive can dramatically lower fuel costs, prevent damages to your vehicle and make the roads safer for everyone.”
Methodology for the study was based on Gasbuddy’s Trips feature, which gives drivers opportunity to assess their own driving habits. The goals:
- Determine where aggressive driving habits occur.
- Seek ways to improve gas mileage.
Gasbuddy says aggressive driving habits waste gas and cost drivers some $477 a year in fuel consumption. Gas prices right now are at their highest in more than three years; that’s reason enough for drivers to conserve, the website suggests.
Additional findings in the study include:
- The state’s with the most aggressive drivers in each region were Connecticut in the Northeast; Georgia in the South; Illinois in the Midwest; and California in the West.
- Hard braking is the most frequent “aggressive driving event”; it comprises two-thirds of the events analyzed.
- Higher speeds don’t necessarily mean aggressive driving. Some states with higher speeds have open, uncrowded roads. For example, Alaska has the fewest aggressive “driving events.”
Sgt. Stephanie Davis, Texas Department of Public Safety, said “several factors” contribute to motor vehicle crashes in the state, including speed, DWI and distracted driving.
She said she is not aware of any DPS studies that determine if Texas drivers are worse than others.
