Most Speeding Tickets & Accident Professions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MTI · #1 01-21-2004, 05:13 PM

The Insurance Council of Texas reports Jan. 20 that a recent study that analyzed the driving records of more than 1 million Americans revealed students had far and away the most reported traffic accidents and speeding citations of any occupation. Medical doctors, attorneys, architects and real estate brokers were right behind students as most likely to be involved in a traffic accident.

The study was conducted by the Quality Planning Corporation, which assists insurers with statistical analysis in rating drivers for auto insurance. The data was obtained from the driving records of policyholders in every state over a 22-month period in 2001 and 2002.

Richard Mayer, chairman of the board of directors of the Insurance Council of Texas and an executive with the Republic Insurance Group in Dallas, said the study has its surprises.

“Insurers have known for years that students or drivers aged 16 to 21, experience the worst driving records of any age group,” said Mayer. “What was surprising was the fact that medical doctors were ranked number two on the list of drivers most likely to have a traffic mishap.”

Dr. Daniel Finnegan, president of the Quality Planning Corporation, said the work habits of medical doctors most likely has an affect on their driving performance. “Physicians are known for working long hours and we believe that fatigue plays a major role in their accident records,” said Finnegan.

Finnegan said the results of other occupations high on the list could have been expected. “Attorneys typically demonstrate aggressive behavior, architects may pay more attention to buildings and landscapes than roadways and real estate brokers spend much of their work day on the road,” said Finnegan.

The professions least likely to have accidents according to the study were farmers, firemen, pilots and politicians.

“I’m somewhat skeptical of our data on politicians, but farmers usually travel on less-traveled roadways, while pilots and firemen tend to use caution and pay more attention behind the wheel than others,” said Finnegan.

The top five occupations cited for speeding violations were:

students;
enlisted military;
manual laborers;
politicians; and
architects.
The least ticketed occupations were homemakers, librarians and law enforcement.

Gee, go figure, law enforcement employees not getting speeding tickets!

MikeTangas · #2 01-21-2004, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MTI
Gee, go figure, law enforcement employees not getting speeding tickets!

Gosh, I really don't know how to respond, but I can tell you that we do get pinched. Infact I can personally attest to getting a ticket while on duty, while going with the flow of traffic approximately 7 mph over the limit.

Myth busted.

sixto · #3 01-21-2004, 05:35 PM

Some carriers give a discount to engineers and teachers. The teachers thing might be a courtesy and a well deserved one, I'm sure. I don't know if the engineer thing is still practiced after the movie Falling Down.

Has anyone correlated tickets with claims? I have a distant history of speeding tickets and no history of claims while my sister has no history of tickets and a distant history of claims. Why am I considered the higher risk?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

G-Benz · #4 01-21-2004, 06:07 PM

Occupation is just one factor...financial risk is another.

I read another article that biased low-income individuals and those with poor credit as more likely to file claims...

...so they look at your credit report as well before they issue a policy and set the premiums.

AustinsCE · #5 01-21-2004, 06:30 PM

Maybe the doctors and lawyers and such get in a bunch of accidents because they're preoccupied with being dicks and always talking on cellphones. Fatigue- maybe ER doctors, aggressiveness- lawyers? hmmm... paying attention to buildings... right... The arch on the McDonalds sign is so elegant...WHAM!! yeah. all the time...

Kuan · #6 01-21-2004, 07:23 PM

Interesting how politicians are in both the most speeding tickets group and also the least accidents.

sfloriII · #7 01-21-2004, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Benz
...so they look at your credit report as well before they issue a policy and set the premiums.

That's right! A couple years ago I changed insurance companies. Much to my delight, they informed me that my premiums would be X dollars less because of good credit. I think it's a good idea.

super SEC · #8 01-21-2004, 10:55 PM

"Gosh, I really don't know how to respond, but I can tell you that we do get pinched. Infact I can personally attest to getting a ticket while on duty, while going with the flow of traffic approximately 7 mph over the limit.

Myth busted."

Wow, call Ripley's! You must have been pinched by a state trooper or you were not in your squad car or in police attire? In Florida and most other southern states a cop will not get a ticket for any type of speeding......even if you are the cause of a wreck. The chiefs/sheriffs always defend their boys by saying that they handle their issues internally and the punishment is usually stiffer than a ticket. We all know that is a bunch of BS.

Kuan · #9 01-22-2004, 07:21 AM

It's really sad how credit has come be more important than our word. I took a friend of mine from Belgium to cash a check at the local Wells Fargo and they asked him for two forms of ID. He had his passport but that wasn't enough. He then flipped out his VISA card and the teller smiled and said that would be great.

My insurance agent has more info on me than my mom.

blackmercedes · #10 01-22-2004, 09:26 AM

In many places in Canada, teachers pay the lowest insurance rates of anyone, driving records being equal. Why?

Teachers have the lowest claim rates, be it for damage claims or "soft tissue" and other injury claims. As a profession, teachers are a large group. The larger the group, the more diversified the risk base is. As a whole, teachers have the cleanest driving records in the nation. We belong to the teacher's group insurance plan, and rates are close to half of what we could find anywhere else.

Finally, some reward for the profession...

MikeTangas · #11 01-22-2004, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by super SEC
The chiefs/sheriffs always defend their boys by saying that they handle their issues internally and the punishment is usually stiffer than a ticket. We all know that is a bunch of BS.

Well, in addition to the nearly $100 ticket I received a written reprimand from my Chief. That in itself isn't much except it stays in your jacket for 5 years or more and a repeat offense can result in seperation from service. Makes for a mighty stiff fine in the long run.

blackmercedes · #12 01-22-2004, 05:23 PM

I know a few officers, and they are quite clear that when traveling in their own cars, they are subject to the same enforcement as the rest of us. Flashing your "tin" is not a way out of a ticket, and that idea is purely a media based myth. Of course, when rolling on-duty in a marked car with lights and siren going (or not) the officer is not required to obey the speed limit, but is still required to drive in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of others, including suspects.

mikemover · #13 01-23-2004, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes
......but is still required to drive in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of others, including suspects.

Who cares about the safety of suspects? If you decide to run from the cops and are the suspect in a police chase, then you just waived your right to any "concern for your safety", as far as I'm concerned. I say stop them by whatever means works.

Turning back to the original topic: I used to get LOTS of speeding tickets when I was younger. I had a very fast, very nice 79 Camaro, and I drove it hard. My license was actually on "probation" for a year...I had 15 points on a 12 point system, which should have meant suspension, but the judge was kind and gave me another chance. That was the closest I've ever been to "outlaw" status! hahaha...

I've only had one ticket in the past 8 or 10 years, though...

Been in several accidents, none of which were my fault. Rear ended, rear ended again, side-swiped, rear-ended....

So much for the correlation between speeding and accidents.

Mike

blackmercedes · #14 01-23-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
Who cares about the safety of suspects? If you decide to run from the cops and are the suspect in a police chase, then you just waived your right to any "concern for your safety", as far as I'm concerned. I say stop them by whatever means works.

So the next time an officer is pulling you over for a speeding ticket he can ram you and then shoot you? There are all kinds of suspects and they are not all running from the police. I agree that is someone runs, then they pretty much get whatever they get.

We had a case recently where the police saw a "suspect" in a vehicle and stopped him. It was the wrong guy. Thank goodness they didn't automatically go into "ramming" mode and take aggressive action. The problem of course, is that police have to "tip their hand" in cases like that, but it's better not to hurt innocent people. The officers I know are intent on "bringing them back alive" and don't take action to hurt someone (even someone running) purposely. However, I dare someone to take a swing at any of them...

blackmercedes · #15 01-23-2004, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
So much for the correlation between speeding and accidents.

Mike

I served a suspension for 22 speeding tickets many years ago. My parents lived in Jasper, a mountain resort town, and we would head out every weekend. Jeez I got nailed on that highway, and seemed too stupid to slow down. Droning along on a four lane divided highway at 100km/h seemed (still does) stupid. At least they've raise the limit on that highway now...

...too late for me 18 years ago!

I caused an accident once when I was 16 and had been driving for a few weeks. Sheer brain fade and lack of experience.

Since then I have been a fast, but safe driver. That seems to be a false statement according to insurance companies. The trick is to know when NOT to go fast, like in this morning's rush hour which had a blizzard roll in on top of a sheet of freezing rain...