WASHINGTON, D. C. (Thursday, March 29, 2018) –– It is the “sum of their fears” behind the wheel. Distracted driving tops drivers’ list of growing dangers on the road, according to a new survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The annual Traffic Safety Culture Index shows that 88 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is on the rise, topping other risky behaviors, such as:

·         Aggressive driving: 68 percent.

·         Drivers using drugs: 55 percent.

·         Drunk driving: 43 percent.

The proportion of drivers who report talking on a cell phone regularly or fairly often when behind the wheel jumped 46 percent since 2013. Nearly half (49 percent) of drivers report recently talking on a hand-held phone while driving and nearly 35 percent have sent a text or email.  

“Despite their behavior, nearly 58 percent of drivers say talking on a cellphone behind the wheel is a very serious threat to their personal safety, while 78 percent believe that texting is a significant danger,” said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “Given this, we are mindful of the fact that drivers talking on a cellphone are up to four times as likely to crash while those who text are up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash, as a recent study from the AAA Foundation shows.”  

The Metropolitan Police Department ticketed 29,502 drivers for distracted driving in the period from 2012 to 2016. However, the number of tickets for distracted driving has dropped with each passing year, from 8,506 citations in 2012 to 3,904 citations in 2016, a 54.1 percent decline, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s 2016 Annual Report.

AAA research reveals nearly “80 percent of crashes in Virginia” in a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute were linked to distracted driving. In Maryland, 865 persons lost their lives in “distracted driver-involved” traffic crashes from 2012 to 2016. The Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas accounted for nearly 85 percent of crashes related to distracted driving, according to a 2017 report. Drivers under 30 years old account for a third –nearly 36 percent – of all distracted drivers in crashes in Maryland. In Annapolis, lawmakers are once again debating a measure, HB 42, that would increase the maximum fine for texting and driving to $500.

 “With more than 37,000 deaths on U.S. roads in 2016, we need to continue finding ways to limit

driving distractions and improve traffic safety,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The Foundation’s work offers insight on drivers’ attitudes toward traffic safety and their behaviors, so we can better understand the issue and identify potential countermeasures to reduce crashes.”

Drivers in the AAA survey believe the problem of distracted driving has increased over the past three years, with nearly 50 percent reporting that they regularly see drivers emailing or texting while driving. Counterintuitively, federal estimates show the number of distracted driving crashes has actually dropped two percent. This may be due to the fact that it is difficult to detect distraction following a crash which makes distracted driving one of the most underreported traffic safety issues. According to government estimates, distraction plays a factor in just 14 percent of all crashes. However, past AAA Foundation research looking into teen drivers (one of the most vulnerable driving populations), used in-vehicle dash-cam videos to determine that distraction was a factor in 58 percent of crashes, 44 percent more than federal estimates.

“As the number of distractions behind the wheel increases- from the latest phone apps to in-vehicle technology, it is important that we better educate drivers on the dangers of distraction,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “There is a disconnect between what drivers do and what they believe. While most recognize the dangers created by taking your eyes off the road, they engage in distracting behaviors anyway- creating a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ culture on the roadway.”

Any level of risk is too high when it comes to safe driving. Tasks that require a driver to take their eyes or attention off the road should be avoided while the vehicle is in motion- including the use of cellphones, infotainment systems, or navigation systems. AAA urges drivers to act responsibly when behind the wheel. In order to avoid distractions, drivers should:

·         Put aside electronic distractions and never use text messaging, email, video games or internet functions, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.

·         Pre-program your GPS and adjust seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before driving.

·         Properly secure children and pets and store loose possessions and other items that could roll around in the car.

·         Snack smart by avoiding messy foods that can be difficult to manage.

The new survey results are part of the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, which identifies attitudes and behaviors related to traffic safety. The survey data are from a sample of 2,613 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The AAA Foundation issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008, and the latest report is online at www.AAAFoundation.org.

Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, publicly-supported charitable educational and research organization. Dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads, the Foundation’s mission is to prevent crashes and save lives through research and education about traffic safety. The Foundation has funded over 300 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them and minimize injuries when they do occur.  Visit www.AAAFoundation.org for more information on this and other research.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com