1	2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index Survey
2	AAA Foundation Established in 1947 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Research affiliate of AAA/CAA North American Focus
3	Mission Identify traffic safety problems Foster research that seeks solutions Disseminate information and educational resources
4	Funded through the generosity of and its members
5	"Initial Release July 2009" Initial Release July 2009 Surveys conducted by Abt SRBI Inc Fact sheet available at AAAFoundation.org
6	Purpose of the Index To investigate the public’s traffic-safety-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and experiences To create a baseline measure of traffic safety culture in the U.S. To continue monitoring America’s traffic safety culture over time through surveys To guide traffic safety research and education To foster dialogue about traffic safety and how to improve it
7	About the Index Random sample telephone survey of the American public Sample included landline and cell phone Interviews conducted in English and Spanish Conducted April 15, 2009 – May 12, 2009 Interviewed 2,501 U.S. residents ages 16+ Statistics weighted to be representative of U.S. population Margin of error +/- 2.5% (approx.) for statistics based on full sample, higher for subsamples
8	Background The AAA Foundation defines traffic safety culture as a social climate in which traffic safety is highly valued and rigorously pursued In 2008 the AAA Foundation conducted the first Traffic Safety Culture Index
9	Overview of Results Majority of drivers do not feel safer than they did five years ago Distracted driving was major reason cited by those who felt less safe now than 5 years ago Drivers agree that using a cell phone while driving is a threat to safety Note: Results presented here are only a small subset of all information that can and will be gleaned from the 2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index throughout the year.
10	Threats to Safety 35% of drivers reported that they feel less safe than they did five years ago Of those who felt less safe, 31% cited distracted driving as the reason 87% of respondents rated texting or emailing as a very serious threat, second only to drinking while driving (90%) 58% also rated talking on a cell phone as a serious threat
11	Driver Behavior 67% of drivers admitted to talking on a cell phone while driving in the past month 28% who admitted to this said they did so fairly often or regularly 95% of drivers saying texting while driving was completely or somewhat unacceptable 18% of those same drivers reported having text messaged while driving in the past month
12	Driver Behavior (cont) 71% rated talking on a handheld cell phone while driving as unacceptable 30% of those drivers admitted to doing this and another 27% admitted to using a hands-free phone, which studies have shown are no safer
13	"For" For more information, visit: AAAFoundation.org
14	The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) public charity located in Washington, DC that is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries. It is supported by donations from AAA/CAA Clubs, AAA/CAA members, and other organizations associated with AAA/CAA.