U.S. Daredevils Admit Risky Business

Jan. 6, 2009 -- Americans are daredevils, a Consumer Reports survey shows.

At least half of Americans regularly risk hearing loss, head injury, skin cancer, harmful drug interactions, physical injury, and death. And that's just part one of the two-part survey.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center queried 1,000 U.S. residents on whether they engaged in a long list of risky behaviors.

They found that, often or occasionally:

• 69% of American drivers go at least 10 miles per hour faster than the speed limit on highways.
• 63% of American drivers talk on a cell phone while driving -- with no hands-free device.
• 50% of American drivers roll through stop signs without making a complete stop.
• 13% of American drivers read or send text messages while driving.

They found that many of us don't do things we should:

• 70% of Americans never use hearing protection when using mowers or blowers (even though they're loud enough to cause hearing loss).
• 58% of us never wear a helmet while bicycling.
• 50% of us never unplug the toaster when it's not in use.
• 27% of us never wear sunscreen.
• 9% of us never read the warnings that come with a prescription.

Men aren't bigger daredevils than women, the survey shows -- except they're less likely to wear sunscreen and read prescription labels.

And young adults aged 18 to 34 are more likely than older adults to drive while talking on their cell phones, to roll through stop signs, and to speed.

The survey results appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports. Next month's issue carries the other half of the survey.