Traffic safety is an umbrella term that covers numerous topics, from child passengers and teen drivers to mature motorists. In fact, AAA Colorado believes traffic safety includes any issue that impacts drivers, passengers and pedestrians, regardless of their ages and modes of transportation. Safe lifelong mobility is something that AAA Colorado is committed to supporting in a variety of ways.
And, as always, we want to hear what our members think. As part of that effort, AAA Colorado asked members in the July/August issue of
EnCompass to fill out a short survey regarding traffic safety. Thank you to the more than 600 members who took the time to respond.
The informal survey reinforced a decision to make distracted driving AAA Colorado's next primary traffic safety initiative. This is not to say that the organization will neglect other safety issues — it will continue to educate, promote and advocate (and lobby when appropriate) for numerous traffic safety issues.
Distracted driving, though, is an issue that is definitely on the rise as our hectic, fast-paced world seems to demand multi-tasking at every turn. Too many drivers aren't even aware of how some behaviors can take their eyes — and/or attention — off the critical job of driving safely.
Currently, cell phone usage while driving is taking the brunt of criticism when it comes to what constitutes distracted driving. While it's true cell phones can be a major distraction — even as a hands-free unit — they are definitely not the only reason why drivers lose their focus. Eating, personal grooming, outside distractions, passenger conversations, attention to young ones — all constitute some form of distraction that can lead to dangerous driving.
What can be done?
Numerous studies by a variety of agencies and organizations have been researching how drivers drive and how they are distracted. This includes AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, a not-for-profit, publicly supported charitable educational and research organization.
In the coming months, AAA Colorado will be doing its best to educate members and the general public about the growing dangers of distracted driving. Many times, simply alerting people to these dangers will have a positive impact on their driving habits.
Efforts will include:
- Articles on the topic in EnCompass magazine
- Special website coverage at www.aaa.com/safety
- A presentation available by AAA Colorado's Traffic Safety Specialist
- Periodic press releases sent to Colorado news media
Look for more details of these
efforts in the next issue of
EnCompass.
Until then, feel free to contact me at
president@colorado.aaa.com or go to
www.aaa.com/safety to learn more about distracted driving. With your efforts and support, we can make Colorado's roads safer for all drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Tony DeNovellis
President and CEO
AAA Colorado's traffic safety initiatives
