Are you an "Auto-Bahner" or an "Auto-Matic"? Allstate Insurance Co. sponsored a study of 2,500 automobile owners and came up with five distinct driving personalities.
If driving itself does not really excite you, but the car that you drive does, you are probably like 23 percent of those surveyed who were dubbed "Auto-Matics." Auto-Matics, while generally safe and confident drivers, also have been guilty of speeding on occasion. Auto-Matics are likely to feel that the car that they drive is "distinctly styled," "attention-getting," "trendy" and "extravagant."
The next most-common driving personality, representing 21 percent of the drivers surveyed, is the "Auto-Nomous" category. These drivers enjoy looking at the scenery when driving and consider themselves "rugged" and "powerful." Auto-Nomous drivers think of themselves as "good drivers," and their car represents a place of comfort to them. Auto-Nomous personalities are also the least likely to own an economical vehicle and are the most likely to drive a pickup or SUV. Not surprisingly, they are also the group that is most likely to complain about fuel prices. Of these drivers, 63 percent are male.
Those who drive "fast" and "aggressively" and have little patience when other drivers make mistakes fall into the category of the "Auto-Bahner" personality. Eighty percent of the drivers who identified with this group admitted to having driven 20 mph or more over the speed limit. Understandably, Auto-Bahners were also the most likely to have been pulled over by law-enforcement officials within the past five years, with more than half of those surveyed having received moving violations. One third of Auto-Bahners also admitted to driving after having three or more drinks. Of all drivers surveyed, 17 percent were determined to be Auto-Bahners. Of this group, 63 percent were male.
If the word "practical" describes both the way you drive and what you drive, you are likely an "Auto-Pragmatic." Fifteen percent of those surveyed fell into this group, with a driving style they considered "safe" and "cautious." Auto-Pragmatics prefer cars that are safe, convenient, economical, environmentally friendly and practical. Most Auto-Pragmatics took particularly good care of their vehicles - inside and out. A good percentage of this group were unemployed or retired. Women made up 69 percent of Auto-Pragmatics.
The final 15 percent of drivers surveyed were determined to have the driving personality dubbed "Auto-Pilot." "Reliable" and "family oriented," most in this group would prefer to occupy the passenger's seat than the driver's seat. This was the least confident group behind the wheel. Auto-Pilots rely on their cars for doing everyday chores, but do not feel that their vehicles represent who they really are. Women made up 71 percent of the Auto-Pilots.
Todd DeYoung, vice president of marketing at Allstate explained his company is always trying to "gain a deeper understanding of the driving habits of Americans." "The survey not only revealed the depth of Americans' opinions about driving-related issues, but it also produced unique personalities, or `Car-ma' based on actual driving actions."
Michelle Groh-Gordy is the owner of InterActive! Traffic School Online at www.trafficinteractive.com , and writes a syndicated weekly column on driving for the publications of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
