Do R.I. drivers practice what they preach? Not always, says AAA

THE AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently released its annual nationwide Traffic Safety Culture Index to determine driver habits, and found Rhode Island drivers do not always practice what they preach.
THE AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently released its annual nationwide Traffic Safety Culture Index to determine driver habits, and found Rhode Island drivers do not always practice what they preach.

PROVIDENCE – A new study by AAA Northeast shows that Rhode Island drivers do not always practice what they preach when it comes to road safety.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently released its annual nationwide Traffic Safety Culture Index to determine driver habits.

And while most drivers in both Rhode Island say it is unacceptable to drive well over the speed limit, run red lights, talk on a cell phone and drive when they are so tired that it is difficult to keep their eyes open, many admitted doing those exact things.

“It’s a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ when motorists recognize the risks of certain behaviors but do them anyway,” Lloyd P. Albert, senior vice president of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast, said in a statement.
For example, in Rhode Island, 74 percent of the 336 residents surveyed said it was unacceptable to drive 10 miles per hour over the speed limit on a residential street, but 71 percent admitted having done it within the prior 30 days.
As for driving through a light that just turned red, 95 percent of Rhode Island drivers said it was unacceptable to do it, but 46 percent said they did it anyway.
Regarding cell phone use, 63 percent said it’s unacceptable to talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving, while only 31 percent said it is unacceptable to use a hands-free device. During the prior month, 85 percent admitted to using a cell phone behind the wheel.
Ninety-six percent said it was unacceptable to drive so drowsy that it is hard to stay awake, but 35 percent said they had done it.
Of the drivers surveyed, 95 percent said it’s wrong to text or email when driving, even though 25 percent said they had done it.
Ninety-six percent also said it was unacceptable to drive when they had too much to drink, with 3 percent admitted to having done it.

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Overall, drivers surveyed rated texting/emailing, driving after drinking, speeding, red light running and aggressive drivers as the most serious roadway threats.
As for laws and regulations, 72 percent support a hand held cell phone ban, 85 percent favor the use of technology such as ignition interlock systems for convicted drunk drivers, and 95 percent support a ban on reading, typing or sending a text or email while driving.

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