Do Drivers Value Traffic Safety?

By R. Sadler Bailey | May 11, 2017

Do Drivers Value Traffic Safety?Every year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducts a national survey to evaluate the opinions and attitudes of American drivers in relation to traffic safety. As in previous years, the 2016 Traffic Safety Culture Index finds that though people in the United States value safe travel and desire a greater level of safety, their driving behaviors fail to demonstrate a commitment to achieving their safety goals.

Unfortunately, the study consistently finds that drivers take on what the researchers call a “Do as I say, not as I do,” attitude about driving safety. For example, while the surveyed drivers overwhelmingly support laws that restrict dangerous driving behaviors, many of the respondents admitted to performing one or more of those behaviors within the past month. This type of behavior creates a culture of indifference, leading to significant dangers on the roadways and severe injuries to innocent victims.

The findings of the AAA study

On average, 96 individuals lose their lives each day to traffic accidents. The AAA Foundation report questioned drivers about the following types of common roadway problems:

  • Distracted driving. More than 88% of surveyed drivers support laws that restrict reading or sending text messages while driving, characterizing the activity as unacceptable. However, nearly a third of the respondents reported that, within the last month, they had sent a text or email while driving a vehicle. About 40% admitted to reading a text or email while driving.  When asked about talking on a cell phone, respondents overwhelmingly showed more acceptance for hands-free phones over handheld phones, and two-thirds reported regularly talking on their cell phones while driving within the past month.
  • Impaired driving. Though almost 97% of respondents see drinking and driving as a significant threat to traffic safety, 1 in 8 admitted to driving intoxicated within the past year and a disturbing 16% admitted to doing so within the past month. Driving under the influence of illegal drugs surprisingly drew much less scrutiny, with only about half of the respondents classifying it as a serious threat. When asked about driving under the influence of prescription drugs, the percentage of concerned drivers decreased even more to about 34%.
  • Drowsy driving. Though most motorists see drowsy driving as a serious threat, almost a third reported driving during the past month under conditions where they could barely keep their eyes open.
  • Aggressive driving. Half of all surveyed drivers admitted to driving more than 15 miles over the speed limit within the past month, and 25% do not recognize any harm in doing so. Nearly half of respondents also reported driving 10 miles over the speed limit on residential streets. Though more than 90% of respondents view running a traffic light that just turned red as dangerous, more than 1 in 3 drivers (35%) admitted to doing this activity in the past month.

These statistics demonstrate the level of danger that exists on the roadways of Tennessee, as drivers continuously engage in behaviors that even they consider dangerous. If you or a loved one was hurt by a negligent driver, count on experienced Memphis auto accident attorneys to fight for the compensation you deserve. The attorneys of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, provide quality legal representation to the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Contact our office at 901-680-9777 or complete our convenient contact form today for more information.

 

Posted in Auto Accidents