For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Bell
Jericho Communications
212/645-6900

ARE OUR CARS TURNING INTO MOBILE HOMES?

Survey Finds Our Cars Serve As Our Bathrooms, Our Kitchens And Our Offices,
Leading To Dangerous Driving Habits On America's Roadways

Mayfield Village, OH, September 25, 2000 - Whether you own a compact car, a sports car or an SUV, many Americans are using their cars more like mobile homes. According to a new survey by Progressive Auto Insurance, 69 percent of people say they eat behind the wheel, 12 percent apply makeup or shave, and seven percent read a book or newspaper. The survey also found that 44 percent of respondents say they use a cell phone while driving.

The survey of the driving habits of 29,981 people countrywide was conducted by Progressive between May 17, 2000 and July 1, 2000. The survey also found that besides being distracted while driving, we are also angry while we're behind the wheel. According to the survey, 46 percent of respondents report expressing their anger at other drivers while behind the wheel and, interestingly, of those people who express their anger while behind the wheel (by shouting or swearing, using hand gestures, cutting off other drivers or speeding) - more than 50 percent also talk on their cell phones while driving.

"It's a reflection of our society that we try to do more than just drive when we're on the road, but it's important that your full attention be spent on driving when you are behind the wheel," said Dave Pratt, Consumer Marketing Director at Progressive. "Perhaps our busy lifestyles, combined with more traffic and congested roadways, is why nearly half of the drivers express anger. Becoming too emotional and too preoccupied with other drivers is just another way to get distracted and potentially lead to accidents."

The survey found that 74 percent of SUV drivers and minivan drivers report eating behind the wheel, more than any other type of vehicle, and SUV drivers are the most likely to use a cell phone while behind the wheel.

When asked if they would describe their car as "classy", "sexy", "smart", "sporty", "reliable" or "aggressive," the number one group to classify their car as aggressive are truck owners followed closely by SUV drivers. Interestingly, 15 percent of people who classify their car as aggressive report speeding as a means to express their anger when they're behind the wheel.

The survey also found some interesting differences between men and women. According to the survey, when it comes to letting off steam behind the wheel, women are more likely than men to shout or swear at other drivers to express anger, while men are nearly twice as likely as women to use hand gestures. Men are also three times more likely than women to classify their car as "aggressive," and more likely to classify their car as "sexy."

Dave Pratt is available for interview.

Did You Know...
According To A Driving Habits Survey of 29,981 People Countrywide Conducted By Progressive Auto Insurance...

Road Rage
Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents report expressing their anger at other drivers while behind the wheel.

Eating and Driving
74 percent of people who drive SUVs and minivans report eating while behind the wheel, more than any other type of vehicle.

Status Symbol
60 percent of SUV owners report using a cell phone while behind the wheel, more than any other type of vehicle.

Off-Road Mentality
When asked if they would describe their car as "classy", "sexy", "smart", "sporty", "reliable" or "aggressive," people who drive trucks are the number one group to classify their car as "aggressive", followed closely by SUV drivers. Minivan drivers are most likely to classify their car as "smart."

Speed Demons
15 percent of people who classify their car as aggressive report speeding as a means to express their anger when they're behind the wheel.

I Swear
SUV and sports car owners are most likely to shout and swear at other drivers to express anger, followed closely by minivan owners.

Men Are From %**$### MARS
Women are more likely than men to shout or swear at other drivers to express anger when behind the wheel, while men are nearly twice as likely as women to use hand gestures.

Manly Cars
When asked if they would describe their car as "classy", "sexy", "smart", "sporty", "reliable" or "aggressive", men are three times more likely than women to classify their car as "aggressive". Men are also more likely than women to classify their car as "sexy".

Angry Phone Calls?
57 percent of people who consider their car "aggressive" say they talk on a cell phone while driving.

Cell Phone Rage
Of those people who express their anger while behind the wheel (by shouting or swearing, using hand gestures, cutting off other drivers or speeding) - more than 50 percent also talk on their cell phones while driving.

Cell Phone Rage II
Of those people who cut off other drivers as a way to express anger when behind the wheel, 58 percent of them use cell phones versus 43 percent who do not use a cell phone while driving.

WWAASSSSUUUUPPP!
44 percent of all people surveyed say they use a cell phone while driving, with 18-24 year-olds being the ones most likely to use cell phones while driving (55 percent).

Driving Works Up My Appetite
More than half (69 percent) of people report eating behind the wheel. Twelve percent report applying makeup or shaving while driving, and seven percent report reading a book or newspaper while driving.

YEAH I'M TALKING TO YOU
27 percent of all respondents say they shout or swear to express anger when behind the wheel. People aged 25 to 34 are the most likely to shout or swear.

Sexy Car, Sexy Driver
When asked if they would describe their car as "classy" "sexy", "smart", "sporty", "reliable" or "aggressive," people who say they consider their car "sexy" apply makeup/shave while driving twice as often as those who consider their car "reliable."

Generation I(rate)
When asked to classify how they express their anger while behind the wheel, respondents ages 18-24 are the age group most likely to use hand gestures, cut off other drivers, and speed.

The Wisdom of the Ages
71 percent of respondents over the age of 55 say they do not express their anger at other drivers while behind the wheel. They are also the group least likely to report talking on a cell phone while driving.

Really Reliable
When asked if they would describe their car as "classy", "sexy", "smart", "sporty" "reliable" or "aggressive," 65 percent of all respondents would classify their car as "reliable".

Smooth Driving
People who classify their car as "reliable" are the most likely group to say they do not express anger while behind the wheel.

Mini Drivers
Females are two times more likely than men to drive minivans.