Organization May Be the Key to Your Safe Drive

Of U.S. women who own or lease a car:

• 89% say being well organized in their car helps them keep their eyes on the road.
  
• 76% crave organization in their lives, especially "on the go."
  
• 60% of women ages 18-34 say it is a constant battle to keep their cars organized.

Nearly nine out of ten women (89 percent) say being well organized in their car helps them keep their eyes on the road, according to a recent survey of adults who own or lease a car. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Mercury, a North American brand of Ford Motor Company. Additionally, 30 percent of female drivers surveyed, ages 18-34, say they have either had, or almost had, an accident because they were reaching for or looking for something in their car.

"Car organization can be an important factor affecting driver distraction," said Laura Soave Stoppa, brand manager for Lincoln Mercury. "Keeping this in mind, we've developed for the Mercury Mariner, our all-new compact SUV, a Cargo Management System that helps keep everything in its place and handy for easy access."

The study also found 80 percent of women who own or lease a car believe they are organized, however have trouble keeping their car organized, developing a want for more storage space.

"For most drivers, a car is like another living space and the Mariner is a smart choice for people with active lifestyles who look for the little 'extras' in cars that make their ride more enjoyable," said Soave Stoppa. "That's why we've designed the Mariner with creative spaces for carrying additional items both large and small."

The Mercury Mariner's rear cargo area allows for larger items, such as sports equipment and children's toys with a retractable cargo area cover, two open storage bins, four tie-down hooks, and rear seats that can be folded flat to create additional rear cargo space. In addition, an enclosed storage bin in the front floor console, an overhead console with a storage bin, and a large deep pocket in each front door provides ample space for smaller items such as maps, sunglasses, purse or wallet, or CDs.

This survey was conducted in conjunction with Mercury's sponsorship of Real Simple magazine's "Get Organized New York" program to benefit New York City's Fund for Public Schools. The survey findings of U.S. women who own or lease a car include:

• 89 percent say being well organized in their car helps them keep their eyes on the road.
  
• 30 percent of women, ages 18-34, say they have either had, or almost had, an accident because they were reaching for or looking for something in their car;
  
• 62 percent say their car is like another living space.
  
• 76 percent agree that they crave organization in their lives, especially when "on the go."
  
• 48 percent of women, and 60 percent of women ages 18-34, say it is a constant battle to keep their cars organized.
  
• 57 percent have gotten creative by adding one or more containers to their cars to help them keep organized.
  
• 27 percent describe themselves as very organized and 52 percent say they are somewhat organized.
  
• 56 percent stated they wish they had more storage space in their cars for small items.
  
• 30 percent would like to have more storage space for larger items, such as clothes and children's toys and equipment.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Courtesy of Mercury, a division of Ford Motor Company