AAA: Many Motorists Have "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" Attitude Toward Risky Driving
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A new survey has found a significant percentage of drivers taking chances on the road, even though they believe those kinds of behaviors are dangerous.
According to the latest survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, even though one in three people has a friend or relative who has been seriously injured or killed in a traffic crash, too many drivers admit regularly engaging in unsafe driving behavior, such as talking on their cell phone.
"Two out of three drivers believe that hands-free phone use is acceptable, even though study after study after study has said it's the conversation that's distracting. It's not the device," said AAA spokeswoman Beth Mosher.
Nearly 36 percent of drivers admitted to running a red light in the past 30 days, even though nearly 55 percent said it is a very serious threat, and nearly 73 percent said it is completely unacceptable.
Another 43.5 percent have said they drove at least 10 mph over the speed limit in a residential area, even though 45 percent of drivers say it's a very serious threat, and 65 percent say it's completely unacceptable.
"Very much a 'Do as I say, not as I do' attitude; and even one of 'I'm not the problem, the other guy is,'" Mosher said.