2023 Traffic Safety Culture Index (AAA Foundation)

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improve traffic safety through work such as the one presented in this report, the 16th annual Traffic Safety Culture Index. Results presented in this report are based on a nationally representative survey conducted in 2023 of 2,700 licensed U.S. motorists. 

This year, the report provides an overview of the cultural environment of driving in America, including an in-depth examination of risky driving styles, associated demographic factors, and attitudes and beliefs. Similar to previous Traffic Safety Culture Index reports, the 2023 version should be a useful reference for researchers, practitioners, and traffic safety advocates to gain better understanding of people’s perceptions and attitudes towards risky driving behaviors, to identify relevant issues, and to develop corresponding countermeasures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 40,990 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2023 (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2024a). Although this perilously high number represents a small decline in motor vehicle related fatalities compared to 2022 (3.6%), each death represents an unacceptable human, societal, and economic cost. While causes of motor vehicle fatalities are complex, NHTSA reports risky driving behaviors such as speeding, alcohol involvement, and non-seat belt use are linked to tens of thousands of traffic deaths each year (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2024b; National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2023a; National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2023b). 

Indeed “Safer People” is a key dimension of the Safe System Approach, the holistic guiding paradigm adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce injuries and fatalities on American roads (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2022). While drivers are expected to stay alert, adhere to traffic laws, and refrain from driving distracted or intoxicated, a core principle of the approach recognizes that humans will make mistakes and sets up systems to minimize the impact of those mistakes. Reducing risky driving behavior and conversely encouraging safe driving behavior are important contributions to “Safer People.” However, changing behavior is challenging, as driving styles develop into habits over people’s lives, guided by a variety of factors including personality, demographics, driving experiences, vehicle characteristics, and both the physical and cultural environments (Sagberg et al, 2015). 

This report provides an in-depth examination of the cultural environment of driving in America, specifically, Traffic Safety Culture: the underlying assumptions, beliefs, values, and attitudes that help to shape how Americans drive. A deeper understanding of this crucial influence of driver behavior can help inform countermeasures to encourage “Safer People” on the roads and ultimately reduce road traffic crashes and resulting injuries and fatalities. 

To read the full 2023 Traffic Safety Culture Index, visit the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety website.