Despite a 5 percent spike in motor vehicle accident deaths from 2011 to 2012 - the first such increase in seven years - more Americans, it appears, are becoming less concerned about dangerous driving habits.
This alarming news comes from a recently released study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote safe driving through education and research. The group examined data gathered between 2009 and 2012 in surveys focused on changes in the public's perception of traffic safety. The four-year effort encompassed over 11,000 surveys of Americans 16 years old and older.
Examples of Dangerous Driving Habits
Highlights of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety findings include:
· The number of people who believe driving after drinking is a serious threat declined from 90 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2012
· The number of people who consider drowsy driving a very serious threat declined from 71 percent in 2009 to 46 percent in 2012
· The number of people who believe that texting or emailing while driving is a very serious threat declined from 87 percent in 2009 to 81 percent in 2012. The number of people who admit to texting while driving increased from 21 percent to 26 percent during the same period.
· The number of people who consider red-light running to be completely unacceptable declined from 77 percent in 2009 to 70 percent in 2012. More than one-third admitted to running a red light within the previous month.
Unfortunately, as the saying goes, perception is reality. If drivers become less bothered about dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, chances are they may adopt some of them, putting all other drivers and passengers on the road at significant risk. If you or a family member has been a victim of a catastrophic accident due to a negligent driver, you may want to consult an attorney to pursue just compensation for your injuries or loss.
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