AAA Commentary

AAA Members Speak Out on Issues

     Each year, AAA Colorado participates in a national public affairs survey that is mailed to 1,500 Colorado AAA members asking for responses to national and state issues. A total of 41 questions were asked, including 17 relating to topics of local interest. During a three-week period last November, 27 percent of Colorado members surveyed responded. The questions focused on a variety of topics including child passenger safety, aggressive driving, licensing, cellular phones, privacy and urban sprawl/congestion, to name a few. Here are some key findings.

Child Passenger Safety

     Ninety-six percent of our members agree that children weighing less than 80 pounds are safest when riding in the backseat of an automobile in an age-appropriate child safety seat. Almost three-fourths (74 percent) believe that children from ages 4 to 8 and those weighing under 80 pounds are better protected in a booster seat than in an adult seat belt. Conversely, 40 percent (40percent) who transport children say that they always use a booster seat for a child ages 4 to 8 and weighing less than 80 pounds, while 26 percent indicate they never use a booster seat.

Aggressive Driving

     More than half (51 percent) state they encounter impatient or very impatient motorists, as opposed to 21 percent who state that they encounter patient or very patient drivers. More than half, again, (56 percent) witness other drivers exhibiting dangerous behavior at least once a day. While 60 percent state that their own driving behaviors are rarely or never affected by anger or frustration at other drivers, members under age 65 are more likely to indicate that their driving behavior is sometimes or frequently affected by anger or frustration due to other drivers.

Licensing

     A large majority (82 percent) agree that family members and physicians should have an opportunity to confidentially notify the state licensing agency of the need to evaluate the mental and physical abilities of an individual whose driving they believe poses a threat to their own or others' safety.

Cellular Phones

     Sixty-seven percent agree or strongly agree that cellular phones are an important vehicle safety device, while only 19 percent disagree. Over half (54 percent) disagree/strongly disagree that the use of hands-free phone devices while driving should be banned, but nearly two thirds (64 percent) think that the use of cell phones while driving should be banned.
     Sixty three percent (63 percent) either own, or have access to, a cellular phone and 61 percent indicate that they rarely or never use a phone while in the car. Half of the respondents often or always try to find a safe place off the road before using their phone, while 27 percent rarely/never do so.

Privacy

     More than three-fourths (80 percent) indicate that a company's policy regarding the use and disclosure of personal information has a strong/very strong influence on their decision to do business with that company. The majority (92 percent) are concerned or very concerned about the sharing of personal information between companies.

Urban Sprawl/Congestion

     Over 90 percent of these members feel that rapid expansion of our suburban communities is a significant/very significant problem. Of the five reasons offered to explain this expansion, 50 percent felt the main reason was affordable housing, followed by job opportunities (17 percent), better education (15 percent), roadway expansion (14 percent) and improved consumer services (4 percent).
     While 62 percent agree that the primary factor contributing to urban sprawl is people's desire to live in the suburbs, 24 percent agree it is the public's over-reliance on the automobile, followed by 13 percent who believe that it is a lack of transportation alternatives.
     Of those members who run errands and/or drive to work, 64 percent would be willing to change their mode of transportation if it would ease congestion. More than half (57 percent) of respondents who are willing to change their mode of transportation say they would choose light rail, followed by 24 percent who would travel by bus and 20 percent who would car pool.
     If you would like to answer the questions in this survey. If you have questions or comments, you may e-mail Mary Greer, director of public relations and government affairs for AAA Colorado. Thank you for your participation.

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