E-Newsletter, Issue 4


Distracted driving accounts for at least 25% of all traffic crashes in this country; so, it is imperative that we continue to raise awareness of this issue and educate motorists to minimize distracting events wherever possible. To that end, I am pleased that our recent press conference, when we released our latest report - "Distractions in Everyday Driving" - generated extensive media coverage. My media experts say we have reached approximately 60 million people!

So, coming on the heels of that event, we thought it would be helpful to focus most of this newsletter on the subject. As such, we have not attempted to provide a completely comprehensive discussion of distracted driving but I hope we have included some material that will be both helpful and informative.

And, I would also like to remind everyone that the initial deadline to submit pre-proposals for our 2004 funding cycle is September 1st.

Very truly yours,

J. Peter Kissinger
President and CEO

Raising Awareness of Distracted Driving… The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety will soon distribute distracted driving public service announcements for radio and television intended to air nationwide.

The television spot, created by the Automobile Club of Southern California, was previewed during the distracted driving press conference on August 6, 2003. Thanks to a generous donation by AAA, the spot is currently being refined for a national audience and will be offered to stations around mid-September. The radio spot will be available to stations by September 1.

 



Distracted while driving? You're not unique. The Foundation releases important follow-up findings to the original Distracted Driving research project.
Internet Poll Measures Public Perception Of Cell Phones - Do cell phone users think their driving and talking habits are dangerous? A six week internet poll conducted by the Foundation shows some interesting results.
New Photos of Teen Drivers have been added to the Foundation's photolibrary.

Chevron Pavement Markings Study Available - Painted stripes can "trick" a driver's perception of speed and cause the driver to slow down. A comparison test in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, showed that average speeds on the marked ramp were lower than those on the unmarked ramp.

The study (PDF: 900KB) does not draw national conclusions, and more research is needed to support the theory that pavement markings do influence drivers to reduce their speeds and/or prevent traffic crashes.

Cell Phones: The Good, The Bad, And The Useful. Nothing stokes the fires of debate more than the cell phone use while driving argument.

 

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