Pacific Northwest Drivers Think They’re Safe, But Aren’t So Sure About Others

A recent survey of Pacific Northwest drivers reveals a disconnect between self-perception and well they think other drivers are doing, particularly concerning speeding in residential neighborhoods.

Nearly all (87%) of respondents in a poll conducted by PEMCO Mutual Insurance of Washington and Oregon residents believe that residential speed limits should be 25 mph or lower, and 80% claim they often adhere to these limits. However, those polled believe only 30% believe other drivers do the same.

Moreover, despite the self-reported caution, speeding remains prevalent. Roughly 59% of drivers admit to speeding at least occasionally, and 22% say they do so often. When speeding, 47% allow themselves to go 5-9 mph over the limit before slowing down, while 14% admit to exceeding the speed limit by 10-14 mph.

The primary reason cited for speeding is the perception that “everyone else is doing it,” which was mentioned by 66% of respondents. Other reasons include not paying attention (22%), choosing to go faster (5%) and believing they won’t get caught (5%).

When comparing current driving habits to those before the pandemic, 69% of drivers report their spending behavior remains unchanged. However, 13% admit to speeding more often now, citing reasons such as less congestion (42%) and a belief that they’re less likely to be pulled over (40%). Conversely, 18% say they speed less, attributing it to being in less of a hurry (29%) and caring more about the consequences (27%).

To encourage adherence to speed limits in residential areas, 41% of respondents believe traffic circles or speed bumps are effective, while 40% favor signs or cones. Only 14% think gestures from other drivers would help, and 5% suggest other methods.

PEMCO commissioned Qualtrics to conduct the poll, which asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size was 420 respondents in the Seattle Metro region, 402 respondents in the Portland Metro and 383 respondents in the Spokane area.

Topics Personal Auto