Sixty-nine percent of Americans say they enjoy driving their automobiles, down from 79 percent in 1991, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center.

Among other findings from the poll of 1,048 drivers:

n 68 percent said they have sung out loud in their cars in the past year.

n 38 percent said they had “shouted, cursed or made gestures to other drivers” in the past year. Women were just as likely as men to admit the practice.

n 6 percent said they had fallen asleep while driving in the past year.

n 7 percent said a person’s car reveals the most about “what someone is like,” compared with 54 percent who said a person’s home is most revealing, and 24 percent who cited clothing.

n 31 percent said their car has a personality of its own.

Reasons people enjoy driving:

n 21 percent said it’s relaxing, quiet time or time to be alone.

n 19 percent said they enjoy the scenery or “getting away from things.”

n 14 percent cited freedom and independence.

Reasons people consider driving a chore:

n 23 percent said traffic and congestion.

n 14 percent said other drivers, bad drivers or rude drivers.

n 3 percent said gas prices.

Source: Pew Research Center

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