NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A quarter of U.S. motorists say that driving in inclement weather is a top driving challenge, according to Hankook Tire America Corp.'s latest consumer Gauge Index.
According to Hankook's survey, 25% of U.S. drivers cite bad weather as their top driving challenge, followed by driving in an unfamiliar location (17%) and changing a flat tire (15%). More than half of drivers surveyed, 51%, said that bad weather would be a reason to stop driving or turn around and delay reaching their destination.
Broken down by generation, 62% of Baby Boomers — those born 1946-1964 — said bad weather would be a reason to stop or delay a trip, compared with 37% of Gen Z (those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s). Boomers were also more likely to cite changing a tire as a challenge.
When bad weather is in the forecast, most drivers prepare their vehicles, Hankook said. According to the Gauge, 59% of drivers check their tire pressure and tread depth, 53% refill fluids and 50% replace windshield wipers.
The Hankook Gauge Index is a survey of Americans' attitudes and opinions about driving. The latest survey, conducted March 13-14, polled 1,012 randomly selected Americans age 18 and older.