Move over! PEMCO poll finds that drivers and cyclists are at odds on the road

SEATTLE, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to getting along, Northwest drivers and cyclists share a reputation for being at odds. According to the latest Northwest Poll from PEMCO Insurance, those tensions aren't just a generalization – the poll confirms that more than half of Washington and Oregon commuters agree that cars and bikes don't share the road well.

Though frustrations flow both ways, the poll finds that cyclists are particularly annoyed by drivers – about two-thirds of cyclists (67 percent) say they're sometimes or often offended by the way motorists drive on shared roads. Drivers aren't lenient on cyclists either – 52 percent of drivers say they often or sometimes feel offended by the actions of their cycling counterparts.

The PEMCO poll suggests that these tensions may arise when drivers and cyclists fail to follow traffic laws. When it comes to respecting the rules of the road, drivers tend to stake blame on cyclists. About half of Northwest drivers (53 percent) say that only some or just a few cyclists do a good job following traffic laws.

Conversely, though cyclists are frequently annoyed by drivers, they're more generous than their four-wheeled counterparts. More than half of those on bikes (56 percent) admit that that most or all drivers actually do follow the correct rules of the road.

"With more cars, more bikes and more people on the road than ever before, it's important that we work together to make safe choices whether you're on two wheels or four," said PEMCO Spokesperson Derek Wing. "It doesn't hurt to mention that a little courtesy can go a long way to ease tension on the roads that we all share."

Some groups are more vexed than others when it comes to sharing the road. For example, male cyclists in Washington are nearly twice as likely than their male cycling counterparts in Oregon to say they are often offended by drivers (32 percent compared to 17 percent).

Yet, there is still hope for harmony. Though tension may exist, in both Washington and Oregon, drivers under 35 are significantly more likely than their older counterparts to think that all cyclists follow the correct rules of the road. Similarly, among cyclists, 66 percent of the younger demographic think most or all drivers do a good job obeying traffic laws.

For a complete summary of PEMCO's poll results, visit www.pemco.com/poll where you'll find the responses collected by FBK Research of Seattle in January 2019.

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll
PEMCO Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 600 respondents in Washington and 600 in Oregon, yields an accuracy of +/- 4.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.

About PEMCO Insurance
PEMCO Insurance is a true Northwest company providing auto, home, and boat insurance to our neighbors since 1949. Consistently ranked highest in customer satisfaction, people are the heart of our business. They can depend on us to anticipate and support their changing needs. PEMCO is committed to serving organizations that positively impact our local communities. We were started by a Seattle schoolteacher and stay true to our roots by focusing on nonprofits and organizations that support youth, education, and public safety. To learn more, visit www.pemco.com.

CONTACTS:

Derek Wing
PEMCO Insurance
206.628.4622
[email protected]

Kristi Herriott
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE PEMCO Insurance

Related Links

http://www.pemco.com