For more than a decade, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) has measured Americans’ traffic safety culture through its annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) survey. The TSCI evaluates five key dimensions: how dangerous drivers perceive risky driving behaviors to be, how likely they believe they are to be apprehended for engaging in risky driving behaviors, how much social disapproval they associate with risky driving behaviors, how frequently they report engaging in risky driving behaviors themselves, and their support for safety laws related to risky driving behaviors. The 2025 TSCI builds upon this established framework by incorporating additional measures related to contextual and personal influences on driving behavior. First, this survey examines drivers’ perceptions of both safe and risky driving behaviors in their own neighborhoods. Such perceived neighborhood driving behaviors may shape individuals’ own driving behavioral choices, as prior research suggests that drivers tend to follow and imitate the behaviors of those around them (Mohammadi et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2025). Second, the survey explores self-appraisals of behavior and abilities, which may be systematically biased by the “better-than-average effect,” a well-documented tendency for drivers to rate their own skills and behaviors more favorably than those of their peers (Horswill et al., 2004; Horswill et al., 2013). This bias is frequently associated with overconfidence and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky driving behaviors (Măirean & Havârneanu, 2018; Horrey et al., 2015). Third, this survey explores drivers’ social stress. Previous research has indicated that elevated social stress levels can contribute to increased distraction, aggression, and impairment behind the wheel (Suhr & Dula, 2017). These additional measures provide a more comprehensive picture of the factors influencing risky driving behaviors.

Infrastructure Assets: Highway Assets
Resource Types: Research Report
Capabilities: Data & Information Systems
Management Processes: Monitoring & Adjustment, Performance Based Planning & Programming