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Risky business
The table below has details on such risky behavior. (Percentages exclude respondents who don't do the activity in question—mow or ride a bike, say.) Men and women didn't act much differently except when it came to wearing sunscreen (women did more often) and reading the info sheet for medicine (ditto). Behavior of younger respondents varied most when they were on the road. Respondents 18 to 34 years old were more likely than their elders to say they often use a cell phone when driving, roll through a stop sign, or drive at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. Behavior didn't vary much from one region of the U.S. to another.
We'll sign off with good news: 87 percent of drivers never read or send text messages while driving. Message to the other 13 percent: Heads up.
Next month: results from the second half of our risky-behavior survey. (Sneak preview: Too many of you are putting cotton swabs inside your ears.)
They do what they shouldn't...
| Often | Occasionally | Never | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive at least 10 mph over limit on highways | 25% | 44 | 30 |
| Talk on a cell phone (no hands-free device) while driving | 17% | 36 | 47 |
| Slow down at stop sign without a full stop | 15% | 35 | 49 |
| Leave items on stairs at home | 15% | 22 | 62 |
| Drive at least 10 mph over limit on local roads | 11% | 37 | 51 |
| Read or send text messages while driving | 4% | 9 | 87 |
...and don't do what they should
| Often | Occasionally | Never | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use hearing protection with a gas mower or leaf blower | 16% | 13 | 70 |
| Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle | 30% | 11 | 58 |
| Unplug toaster/toaster oven when not in use | 39% | 11 | 50 |
| Wear sunscreen when in the sun for an extended time | 43% | 29 | 27 |
| Read warnings that come with a prescription | 70% | 21 | 9 |
