Dare to Ask: Are Asians the worst drivers?

By Phillip Milano

Question

Why do most bad drivers seem to be Asian?

D.M., 26, white male, Vancouver, Canada

Replies

It is a myth. What's more, if you check with someone who works in the auto insurance industry, you will find that Asians have the lowest rate of auto accidents.

Pinny, 19, Asian female, Stockton, Calif.

I cannot drive here in North America. It will take me at least another year to get comfortable with everything on the "wrong" side of the road. Asia entirely drives on the left. Try driving on the left after spending a lifetime doing the exact opposite.

Niti, Pittsburgh

While Asian is an all-encompassing term, I have noticed that in general there is a truth in the question. There seems to be an inability to understand what is going on around them.

S., black male, California

I am Asian and am a horrible driver. I don't know if it is that I can't see all the traffic signs and cars because of my squinty eyes, or because there are usually seven people trying to fit in my Toyota, and it's hard to compensate for the weight. Just joking about all that ... except that I am Asian and don't have a single point on my license.

Daniel, 22, Asian male, Indianapolis

Expert says

One need only look at the data to draw conclusions:

California had one of the biggest decreases in traffic fatalities in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. California has a lot of Asian drivers. Therefore, Asians probably did not drive a lot there in 2007.

Conversely, Alaska had one of the biggest increases in traffic fatalities. It doesn't have a high Asian population. Therefore, again, Asians probably didn't drive a lot there in 2007.

Sure, you think we're interpreting statistics to fit misperceptions. Or that we should quote these NHTSA findings:

In 2002, only about 2 percent of all Asian deaths were attributable to traffic crashes, about in line with blacks and whites and lower than American Indians and Hispanics. Between 1999 and 2004, Asians had the highest rate of valid licenses. Among drivers killed between 1999 and 2004, other minority groups were as likely as Asians to have had a previous conviction for a crash or speeding and were more likely to have been convicted of a DUI.

To make sense of all this, we found a respected research team: The Good Asian Drivers.

They're a transgender slam poet and lesbian folk-rocker duo who drove themselves on a 30-state tour last year and caused zero wrecks.

"We're out to break down that and other stereotypes," said Melissa Li, the folkie part of the pair, which also includes Kit Yan. "We've heard all the racist comments -- 'Gooks can't ride, your eyes are too small, you can't see to drive ... ' But in fact it was someone else who hit us in L.A.

"I get angry at other drivers, too, but I try not to associate it with race."

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.