White Plains, NY - August 14, 2000 |  As Americans hit the road for summer vacations, most are "white-knuckle" rides, according to a national survey conducted by Response Insurance, a leader in online auto insurance and one of the nation's fastest growing direct-to-the-consumer auto insurance companies. The survey revealed that 98% of American drivers are fearful of their fellow drivers.

More than four-fifths (83%) of drivers surveyed were fearful that other drivers are not paying sufficient attention to the road. Other fears cited in the survey were aggressive driving by motorists (75%); drivers on drugs or alcohol (74%); drivers who are too tired to drive and/or whose reaction time is too slow (63%); other drivers being either too old or too young to drive (57%); and that other drivers don't know the rules of the road (49%).

Interestingly, the survey also revealed that while they are fearful of others, 86% of American drivers consider themselves to be "a good driver.” “There is a curious disconnect between peoples' perception of other drivers’ abilities and their own," noted Mory Katz, Chairman of Response Insurance. "Clearly a lot of us need to think about our own driving habits and make sure that safe, responsible driving is the number one priority not just for others, but for ourselves, as well."