AAA: Drivers less concerned about safety

{mosads}The AAA survey found that 69 percent of drivers said they believe drunken driving was a “serious threat” in 2012, compared to 90 percent in 2009.

The survey also found that the number of people who considered “drowsy driving” dangerous declined from 71 to 46 percent during the same period.

Texting-while-driving saw a less steep decline, going from 87 percent in 2009 to 81 percent in 2012. Running red lights were found to be unacceptable by 70 percent in 2012, compared to 77 percent in 2009.

AAA said the lax attitudes come as the number of traffic fatalities has increased by more than 5 percent, with 34,000 auto accident deaths occurs in 2012.  

“We have made great strides in recent years to reduce road deaths, but there are still too many needless fatalities caused by dangerous driving,” AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research Director Jake Nelson said in a statement. “It is clear that more must be done to address the dangers of drunk, aggressive and drowsy driving to stem this concerning trend.”