Holiday Drivers Spend Nearly a Quarter of Their Time in the Car Idling
After analyzing 9 billion miles of driving data, spoiler alert from Progressive® Insurance: Most of us will spend up to a quarter of our time idling this holiday season.
So, if you are a last minute shopper or scrambling to host friends and family this holiday season, knowing when to stay off the roads may save you time, money and frustration.
If you’re looking for the best day to shop in the final days leading up to Christmas, Progressive found that December 22 should yield the least amount of congestion. The data also shows that Fridays are the worst day of the week to be on the road, while Sundays and Tuesdays are the best based on the number of driving trips taken. Progressive reviewed more than 9 billion miles of driving data from Snapshot®, its industry-leading usage-based insurance program, comparing time spent idling on December 10-31 (excluding Christmas) versus the same dates in April through November.
“Because we collect billions of miles of drivin
g data with Snapshot, we’re always trying to find real-world applications of our analysis,” said Dave Pratt, general manager of usage-based insurance for Progressive. “It doesn’t get any more real than losing precious time sitting in traffic. You may spend less time idling if you run errands on a Tuesday versus Friday or Saturday.”
If you plan on hitting the roads the last few days of the holiday season, Progressive offers the following tips:
- The early bird does get the worm. Finish your errands by 10 a.m. when the fewest number of drivers are on the road.
- Night owls will face fewer drivers on the roads. Take advantage of extended holiday hours and shop after 8 p.m. to avoid crowded roads.
- Wait to return those gifts. The days after Christmas, December 26-29, see the highest idling time of the month.
For those braving the stores the last few days of the holiday shopping season, Progressive recommends being on high alert in the busy parking lots to avoid fender benders. Protecting your car can be as easy as parking further back in the parking lot, away from the commotion of the store.
About Progressive
Progressive also offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, as well as home insurance through select carriers. It’s the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller of motorcycle insurance and a leader in commercial auto insurance. More info at: www.progressive.com.
Category: Featured, General Update
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