BRANCHVILLE, N.J., April 26,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent poll commissioned by
Selective Insurance, a leading business, home, and auto insurance
carrier, found that all drivers experience distractions when they
bring their dogs along for the ride. However, drivers residing in
the West are more likely than residents of other parts of the
country to engage in reckless driving behaviors when their
four-legged companions are in the car.
The study, conducted online by The Harris Poll, found that more
than 2 in 5 (45%) of licensed drivers residing in the West – 4%
more than the next closest region – who've ever driven with their
dogs engaged in various forms of reckless driving as a direct
result of their dogs being in the vehicle. The data is particularly
concerning because 94% of licensed dog owners in the West have
driven with their dogs over the past 12 months. More than
two-thirds (71%) do so at least once a week.
The study also found that 23% of licensed drivers residing in
the West who have driven with a dog admit they lacked awareness of
vehicles around them due to having their dog in the car – compared
to 16% in the South, 15% in the Northeast, and 9% in the Midwest.
On top of that, more than one in ten (13%) of Western drivers admit
to being in or causing a car accident due to their dog, compared to
8% in the South, Northeast, and Midwest.
"More pets in homes, especially with the introduction of the
pandemic puppy, mean more Americans may be hitting the roads with
their pooch than ever before, especially as we head into spring and
summer. We love our pets, but drivers must understand the risks
associated with taking them along for the ride," said Scott Smith, Vice President, Director of Safety
Management. "Selective recently offered 1,000 complimentary dog
seatbelts to interested drivers to help promote safe driving with
dogs – our customers claimed them all within a few
hours."
When it comes to licensed drivers interacting with their dogs
while driving over the past 12 months, other key regional findings
include:
- Those in the Northeast are more likely than those in the West
to say they have pet their dog while driving (58% vs. 44%).
- Midwestern drivers are more likely than those in the South to
say they have given their dog food, treats, or water while
operating a vehicle (42% vs. 32%).
- Across regions, the most common place for a dog while in the
car is the back seat (among licensed drivers who drove with their
dog in the past 12 months: 71% Northeast, 68% Midwest, 64% West,
and 58% South).
- Of particular concern, almost one-in-five (19%) licensed
drivers in the West who have driven with their dog in the past 12
months did so with it on their lap.
For more details, view these additional findings from
Selective's Distracted Driving study and tips for driving safely
with a dog in the car.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online
within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf
of Selective Insurance from March 2-6, 2023, among
2,044 US adults ages 18 and older, among whom 992 are licensed
drivers who drove with their dog in the past 12 months. The
sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a
Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is
accurate to within +/- 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence
level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting
variables and subgroup sample sizes, please
contact Katelyn.Leondi@Selective.com. Geographical alignment
for each referenced region is listed below:
- Northeast: Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont,
West Virginia
- Midwest: Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
- West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming
About Selective Insurance
Selective Insurance Group,
Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGI) is a holding company for 10 property and
casualty insurance companies rated "A+" (Superior) by AM Best.
Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer standard
and specialty insurance for commercial and personal risks and flood
insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program's Write Your
Own Program. Selective's unique position as both a leading
insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide
variety of awards and honors, including listing in Forbes Best
Midsize Employers in 2023 and certification as a Great Place to
Work® in 2022 for the third consecutive year. For
more information about Selective, visit www.Selective.com.
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SOURCE Selective Insurance Group, Inc.