Texting is biggest cause of road rage

Once again, people who text while driving are the biggest problem for other drivers, according to the 2015 Road Rage Report from Expedia.com.

“The Texter” generated the most rage for the second consecutive year, earning the scorn of 26 percent of those surveyed, according to the yearly analysis of driving etiquette. The study was commissioned by Expedia® and conducted by GfK, an independent global market research company. Among other queries, GfK asked 1,000 Americans to rank the behavior of their fellow motorists in order of aggravation.

"The Tailgater" (13 percent) ranked second, narrowly edging out "The Left Lane Hog" (12 percent), "The Crawler" (10 percent) and "The Multitasker" (7 percent).

The full Expedia 2015 Road Rage Report, as well as an illustrative infographic, can be found at Expedia.com.

"Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, and a moment when millions of drivers will take to the road," said John Morrey, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. "Now that drivers can book rental cars through Expedia's updated mobile app, we've set out with the Road Rage study to examine what sorts of behavior make travel more pleasurable, and what sorts of behavior should be avoided. The study demonstrates that travelers, whether they're on the road or in the air, expect – and reward – courtesy and respect from their fellow travelers."

The least popular in-car behavior is "back-seat driving," cited as the top peeve by 52 percent of Americans. The "Reluctant Co-Pilot" – the co-pilot who won't help navigate – ranked second, by 12 percent of Americans, followed by the "Radio Hog" (10 percent), the "Snoozer" (8 percent), the "Shoe Remover" (7 percent) and the "Snacker" (6 percent).

Americans: Drive As I Say, Not As I Do
Fifty-one percent of Americans report that they loathe sharing the road with bad drivers, more than cyclists, buses, taxis, joggers and walkers combined. Nearly all Americans (97 percent) rate themselves as "careful" drivers, but feel that only 29 percent of fellow drivers merit the description.

Sixty-one percent admit to speeding, while 29 percent admit to following other vehicles too closely. Twenty-six percent have yelled or used profanity at another driver. Seventeen percent have made a rude gesture, but 53 percent have been on the receiving end of one. One quarter of Americans admit to "regularly or occasionally" talking on their mobile phone while driving.

Americans offered multiple reasons for driving misbehavior: 21 percent reported that they were running late. Fourteen percent felt provoked by other drivers and 13 percent felt triggered by another driver who wasn't paying attention.

Four percent of Americans report having exited their vehicle to angrily engage with another motorist, and 13 percent of Americans have felt physically threatened by another driver. The news was not all dire: 40 percent of Americans did report having stopped to help another driver in distress.

New York City Drivers Rank As Nation's Rudest
Among major cities, New York City was cited as having the rudest drivers according to 42 percent of Americans. Thirty-two percent chose Los Angeles drivers, 18 percent felt the nation's rudest drivers could be found in Chicago, while 16 percent said the same of Washington, DC. Only 1 percent of Americans felt that Portland, Oregon drivers were the nation's rudest.

Apps and the Open Road
One out of five Americans have downloaded apps specifically to use while driving. Somewhat surprisingly, nearly one third (32 percent) of Americans report that they still typically rely on written/printed directions when driving, versus apps, and dashboard GPS or their vehicle's navigation system. Google Maps was the clear favorite, preferred by 35 percent of Americans. Twelve percent of Americans rely instead on Apple Maps.

Eighty-three percent of Americans have used a map app while in the car. Forty-six percent have used a traffic app. Thirty-eight percent have used a music app, and have also used weather apps. Thirty-five percent of driving Americans have used an app to find a restaurant, 28 percent to find a gas station, and 16 percent to find a hotel.

Gas Price Predictions and Attitudes towards Rental Cars
Additional findings from the Expedia 2015 Road Rage Survey include:

• 64 percent of Americans believe gas prices will rise this summer, versus 12 percent who believe they will fall.
• Nearly 40 percent of Americans would refuse to drive in a country, such as England, where motorists use the opposite side of the road.
• 25 percent of Americans have rented a car within the past year. 26 percent have never rented a car at all.
• 80 percent of Americans typically rent cars for leisure purposes. The most important feature in a rental car decision is price (cited by 76 percent of Americans).
• 10 percent of Americans "strongly or somewhat agree" with the statement that they are "more likely to break the law in a rental car than in their own car."

The complete list of Road Rage etiquette violators follows:

1. The Texter (26%)
2. The Tailgater (13%)
3. The Left-Lane Hog (12%)
4. The Crawler (10%)
5. The Multitasker (7%)
6. The Drifter (7%)
7. The Inconsiderate (6%)
8. The Swerver (5%)
9. The Speeder (4%)
10. The Unappreciative (3%)
11. The Honker (2%)
12. The Red Light Racer (1%)

About the Survey
The study was conducted online using the GfK "KnowledgePanel," an online probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US general population, not just the online population. The study consisted of approximately 1,065 interviews conducted between April 3 - 5, 2015 among adults aged 18+ with a valid US driver's license. The margin of error is +/-3 percentage points.

Cat reducing manufacturing footprints at two locations; no job loss to result

Caterpillar Inc. said Monday it will transform and reduce the size of two of its facilities in an effort to improve efficiency.

In a news release issued late afternoon, the company said it will consolidate the operations it now has in Aurora, reducing manufacturing there by more than 1 million square feet and ceasing operations in one of the largest buildings on the Aurora Caterpillar campus.

Caterpillar will continue to produce large and medium-sized wheel loaders, compactors and wheel dozers in Aurora. It also will continue to make powertrain and tube components for those products. Caterpillar spokeswoman Barbara Cox said the company does not anticipate there will be any loss of jobs with the moves. She added that some of the employees at the Aurora campus may have to change jobs when they move to a different building to avoid duplication.

In South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Caterpillar plans to redesign and retool its plant there and reduce its manufacturing footprint by more than 260,000 square feet, the company said in the release.

Caterpillar will continue to make electric rope shovels, hydraulic mining shovels and draglines at the South Milwaukee plant. No positions are expected to be affected by the move, Cox said.

Work to consolidate operations at each campus will begin immediately, the company said.

“We continue to evaluate our operations for efficiency, to lower costs and to improve competitiveness. This decision allows us to more competitively position the products produced on these campuses, and it provides employees in these facilities clarity around our long-term plans for maintaining production,” said Ed Rapp, Caterpillar group president responsible for Resource Industries.

“The significant reduction of floor space will enable us to increase efficiencies by updating our tooling and reducing material flow through the installation of single stream manufacturing concepts. In turn, we will be able to better optimize both of these locations. We are proud of our employees and the quality products they safely produce for our customers every day, and believe this decision will help better prepare us for the long term,” Rapp said.

This announcement comes just 10 days after the company announced that 150 employees in its mining equipment plant in Decatur would be laid off indefinitely because of continued weakness in that industry. Caterpillar laid off more than 100 from the Decatur plant in January.

Jim Wetherington resigns from Civic Center post

Jim Wetherington has resigned his position as general manager of the Peoria Civic Center, effective immediately.

Wetherington was general manager of the facility for four years and has been with the SMG-managed Civic Center for more than 25 years, starting as custodial supervisor and working his way into the top position.

He resigned Monday, he acknowledged, but he declined to detail the circumstances of the resignation when reached Tuesday.

Asked why he resigned, he said, “Because it was time. After 25 years, it was time. I’ve missed too many birthdays and games and spending time with grandkids and other family events. It is time to move on to something else.”

He said he doesn’t know yet what that something else will be. “I’m too young to retire (he’s 58). I’ll find something. I’m not worried,” he said as he was preparing for a trip south to visit grandchildren. “I haven’t made any long-range plans.”

Bob Manning, chairman of the Civic Center Authority, declined comment when reached Tuesday. He said Wetherington is an employee of Pennsylvania-based SMG, which manages Civic Center-type venues around the world, and so wouldn’t have anything to say at this time.

Rich McKeegan of SMG, who was Wetherington’s direct boss and who is in Peoria, confirmed that Wetherington resigned but declined to comment any further, citing company policy regarding human resources matters. Regarding what the company will do to fill the position he did say it is SMG policy to post job openings. He declined to comment on what will happen in the interim.

New study shows working becoming bigger part of retirement

New research from Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® ("TCRS") shows that today's workers recognize that they need to save and self-fund a greater portion of their retirement income.

The report, Retirement Throughout the Ages: Expectations and Preparations of American Workers, further showed those workers “are transforming the United States retirement system from a three-legged stool into a table by creating a fourth leg: working," said Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS.

As the lead release from the 16^th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey, one of the largest and longest-running national surveys of its kind, this new research examines current expectations and preparations among American workers in their 20s, 30s, 40, 50s, and 60s and older.

What Is Retirement?

"The long-held view that retirement is a moment in time when people reach a certain age, immediately stop working, fully retire, and begin pursuing their dreams is more myth than reality," said Collinson. "Retirement has become a transition that may be phased over time or happen abruptly due to intervening circumstances."

In exploring the retirement expectations of workers, the TCRS survey found:

• One in five (20 percent) expects to continue working as long as possible in their current or similar position until they cannot work anymore;
• Forty-one percent envision transitioning into retirement by reducing their hours to allow for more leisure time to enjoy life (26 percent) or by working in a different capacity that is less demanding or brings greater personal satisfaction (15 percent);
• Just 21 percent expect to immediately stop working and fully retire when they reach a certain age (14 percent) or savings goal (7 percent); and,
• Eighteen percent are not sure how they envision transitioning into retirement.

Thirty-seven percent of workers expect working to be a source of income in retirement. Other expected sources of retirement income include: Social Security (69 percent); retirement accounts, e.g. 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs (68 percent); other savings and investments (45 percent); defined benefit plans (23 percent); home equity (13 percent); and, inheritance (11 percent).

"American workers' vision of transitioning into and working in retirement sounds like a practical approach that can bring income and benefits, address savings shortfalls and provide opportunities for staying active and involved. However, the implications for lawmakers and employers are profound and require updating public policy and employment practices," said Collinson.

Workers of all ages share similar visions of retirement including dreams, fears and expectations of working. Yet they also face specific opportunities and challenges based on their age and time horizon to save, plan and prepare for retirement.

Twentysomethings: Committed, Cautious, and Concerned

"Today's workers in their 20s are embarking on their careers and juggling financial priorities, yet many are already saving for retirement," said Collinson. "By starting to save at a young age and investing wisely, they can grow their nest eggs over four to five decades and enjoy the compounding of their investments over time."

The survey found that 67 percent of workers in their 20s are already saving for retirement, despite competing financial priorities such as credit card debt and student loans. They are starting to save for retirement at an impressively young age of 22 (median). However, a concerning 37 percent know "nothing" about asset allocation principles, which are fundamental to retirement investing. Some (24 percent) are investing in low-risk, low-return investments, which may be too conservative given their time horizon, while others (27 percent) are "not sure" how their savings are invested.

"Twentysomethings are concerned about the future of Social Security and thus are setting expectations accordingly," said Collinson. Eighty-one percent are concerned that Social Security will not be there for them when they are ready to retire. Only 45 percent are expecting Social Security to be a source of their retirement income.

Thirtysomethings: Strong Savers but Weak Planners

"Thirtysomething workers are now well into their careers, albeit with the major disruption of the Great Recession. The good news is many are saving for retirement," said Collinson. "For those who are not yet saving, now is the time for them to get started. For those who are saving, now is the time to save even more and expand their efforts to include building knowledge and planning."

Three out of four (76 percent) workers in their 30s are saving for retirement – and they began at age 25 (median). Among those participating in a 401(k) or similar plan, an impressive 30 percent are contributing more than 10 percent of their annual pay.

Eighty-seven percent of thirtysomethings prefer to make their own decisions about their retirement investments, either after doing their own research or seeking advice, yet two-thirds (68 percent) say they don't know as much as they should about retirement investing. Fifty-seven percent say they "guessed" their retirement savings needs.

Fortysomethings: Financially Frazzled but Focused

"Fortysomething workers endured the Great Recession and are in their sandwich years, which can include a delicate balancing act of work, kids and possibly aging parents, and they are feeling financially frazzled," said Collinson. "It's important for them to remember that they can improve their long-term prospects. They still have twenty or more years to save."

Only 10 percent of workers in their 40s are "very" confident that they will be able to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle. Twenty-two percent cite paying off credit card or consumer debt as their greatest financial priority. Nevertheless, 76 percent are saving for retirement and started at age 30 (median).

Among workers in their 40s who are offered a 401(k) or similar plan, 82 percent are participating in the plan and they are contributing seven percent (median) of their annual pay, yet only 23 percent are contributing more than 10 percent. Almost one in four (24 percent) has taken a loan or early withdrawal from their plan.

Total household retirement savings of workers in their 40s is $63,000 (estimated median). Just 46 percent agree that they are building a large enough retirement nest egg, including 11 percent who "strongly" agree and 35 percent who "somewhat agree." Sixty-one percent expect to work past age 65 or do not plan to retire.

Fiftysomethings: Facing Future Retirement Realities

"Fiftysomething workers are serious about saving for retirement but can do much more in terms of planning. By doing so, they can change their retirement destiny," said Collinson. Forty-two percent expect their standard of living to decrease when they retire.

Eighty percent of fiftysomethings are saving for retirement and they started at age 31 (median). Among those who are offered a 401(k) or similar plan, 83 percent participate in the plan. Among them, 31 percent are contributing more than 10 percent of their income to the plan.

"A major opportunity for fiftysomethings is to take an assessment of their current situation and formulate a retirement strategy," said Collinson. While the survey found that 60 percent say that they have a retirement strategy, only 14 percent have a written plan (with the other 46 percent having an unwritten plan). Fifty-two percent say that they "guessed" their retirement savings needs.

With total household retirement savings of $117,000 (estimated median), most fiftysomething workers (59 percent) plan to work past age 65 or do not plan to retire.

Sixtysomethings and Older: Transforming Retirement As They Retire

"Workers in their sixties and older have cast aside long-held societal notions about fully retiring at age 65. They are literally transforming retirement as they retire," said Collinson. Eighty-two percent expect to or are already working past age 65 – or they do not plan to retire. Among them, 56 percent are doing so because they can't afford to or for income or health benefits.

Seventy-three percent of workers in their sixties and older believe their retirement transition, phased or otherwise, will take place at their current employer. "While most expect that their transition to retirement will happen at their current employer, few say that their employers have formal business practices in place that could accommodate them. It's incumbent on them to do their homework and recalibrate their expectations accordingly," said Collinson.

Forty-seven percent expect to rely on Social Security as their primary form of income in retirement, but only 29 percent know a great deal about it.

Total household retirement savings among workers in their 60s and older is $172,000 (estimated median), with 39 percent reporting that they have saved $250,000 or more.

"It is never too soon or too late to save, invest and plan for retirement. By taking proactive steps today, workers of all ages can improve their retirement outlook," said Collinson. "By extending our working lives and fully retiring at an older age, we can earn income, bridge savings shortfalls and stay active and involved. It's also important to remember that life's unforeseen circumstances, such as health issues or job loss, can derail the best laid plans. Everyone needs a Plan B for the unexpected."

Please visit TCRS www.transamericacenter.org to view the full survey results, infographics and additional materials. Follow TCRS on Twitter @TCRStudies.

The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS) is a division of Transamerica Institute®, a nonprofit, private foundation. The Transamerica Institute is funded by contributions from Transamerica Life Insurance Company and its affiliates and may receive funds from unaffiliated third parties.

About the 16th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey
The analysis contained in Retirement Throughout the Ages: Expectations and Preparations of American Workers was prepared internally by the research team at TCRS. The online survey was conducted within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies between February 18 and March 17, 2015 among a nationally representative sample of 4,550 full-time and part-time workers, including workers in their 20s (579), 30s (853), 40s (895), 50s (1,243), 60s and older (948), and 32 workers ages 18 and 19. Potential respondents were targeted based on employment status and company size.

Respondents met the following criteria: U.S. residents, age 18 or older, full-time workers or part-time workers in for-profit companies, and employer size of 10 or more. Results were weighted to account for differences between populations available via the Internet versus by telephone, and to ensure that each quota group had a representative sample based on the number of employees at companies in each employee size range. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.