Motorists cite bad weather as top driving challenge in Hankook study

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A quarter of U.S. motorists say that driving in inclement weather is a top driving challenge, according to Hankook Tire America Corps.' latest consumer Gauge Index.

According to Hankook's survey, 25 percent of U.S. drivers cite bad weather as their top driving challenge, followed by driving in an unfamiliar location (17 percent) and changing a flat tire (15 percent). More than half of drivers surveyed, 51 percent, said that bad weather would be a reason to stop driving or turn around and delay reaching their destination.

Broken down by generation, 62 percent of Baby Boomers—those born between 1946-1964—said bad weather would be a reason to stop or delay a trip, compared to 37 percent 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 percent of drivers check their tire pressure and tread depth, 53 percent refill fluids and 50 percent 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.

"The insights provided by the Hankook Gauge Index are invaluable in understanding the evolving needs and concerns of drivers," Rob Williams, Hankook Tire America Corp president said. "As a company committed to innovation and safety, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges and providing tires that cater to all vehicles and driving conditions, ensuring optimal performance and that drivers feel comfortable on the road."

The survey also gauged parental concerns about teen driving, finding that while parents try to be optimistic about teen drivers, their level of concern varies based on the trip's distance, Hankook said.

When teen drivers are traveling locally, 39 percent of parents say they are "a bit anxious but hopeful," a metric that drops to 28 percent when teens are driving long distances.

Northeastern parents expressed the most anxiety in the survey—23 percent said they felt "extremely concerned and fearful" about their teen driving locally, compared to 12 percent of parents in the South and 6 percent in the West. Southern parents were also more likely—32 percent—to feel "confident and relaxed" about their teen driving long distances compared to 14 percent in the Northeast and 11 percent in the West.