Local Accident Attorney Finds AAA Driving Survey Results Alarming

AAA conducted a traffic safety poll in June 2011, surveying 3,147 U.S. residents 16 and older about their driving knowledge, skills, and habits.  From this poll, AAA officials have concluded that while drivers know what behaviors pose safety hazards, many of them are unwilling to change their deadly driving tendencies and even admit that they are part of the problem.  The following is a list of the most common driving safety issues and how those who were polled felt about them.  In addition, included with each topic, some educational facts.

Safety Belts: 86% of the polled drivers believe it is wrong to drive without buckling up, yet 23% admit that they had done so in the past 30 days.   What are some myths surrounding the use of seatbelts?

Drowsy Driving: 96% of the polled drivers consider it unacceptable for a tired person to drive when he can hardly keep his eyes open, yet 32% admit to having done so during the past 30 days.  I am planning a long road trip, what should I know about drowsy driving?

Speeding: 74% of the polled drivers consider driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway to be unacceptable, yet 52% admit to having done so in the past 30 days.  Furthermore, 94% of those drivers find it unacceptable to drive 15 mph over the speed limit on a residential street, yet 26% had done so in the past 30 days.  Gainnesville, Florida, accident attorney talks about the high cost of speeding.

Red Light Running: 94% of the polled drivers believe it is unacceptable to drive through a red traffic light if they could have safely stopped, yet 37% had done so in the past 30 days.  Red means STOP - no excuses. Gainesville accident attorney explains the risks of red light running.

Cell phone Use and Texting: 68% of the polled drivers claim to have talked on their cell phone while driving in the past thirty days and 31% claim they do so fairly often.  Furthermore, 94% of these drivers consider texting while driving a serious threat, yet 35% admit to reading a text or email while driving during the past 30 days and 26% admit to sending a text while driving during that period.  Driving Distractions 101 (Plus an additional heads up for Florida residents: Comparatice negligence)

Drinking and Driving: 76% of the polled drivers claim that people who drink and drive pose a serious threat to their personal safety and 97% consider drinking and driving unacceptable.  More than 14% of these same drivers, however, admit to driving at least once in the past year when they thought their alcohol level was possibly over the legal limit.  From this 14% of polled drivers, 21% admit to having done so in the past 30 days.  Drunk driving can change your life forever.

As an experienced Gaineville and Ocala accident attorney, I find AAA’s data about the mindset and habits of U.S. drivers sobering and even a little shocking because it suggests that while drivers recognize the importance of safe and responsible driving, it is not important enough to be followed at all times or even on a regular basis.  In other words, drivers are consciously and willingly choosing to make unsafe and illegal driving decisions even though they are aware of the possible tragic consequences that may befall upon themselves, their passengers, and anyone else on the road.