Friday, February 26, 2016
Motorist Survey: They say one thing, do something else
According to the Post article Why more than 1 million Americans have died in car crashes since 1990:
“When you do something dangerous time and time again without any negative consequences, it’s easy to become conditioned to repeat that same behavior,” said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “That’s why strong laws and sustained, high-visibility enforcement are so critical.”
In the past few weeks I've been driving more than usual. Other driver's behavior seems to be getting worse. I drive the speed limit and I would guess that over 80% of other drivers are exceeding the speed limit. Many will tailgate and pass dangerously. Even when conditions are bad with water and snow and ice on roads motorists were driving faster than was safe. Almost no one stops at red lights when turning right or at STOP signs.- Almost everyone thinks drinking and driving don’t mix, but 1 out of 8 drivers admitted that they have been close to or above the legal limit in the past year.
- Almost 90 percent of people think texting or emailing while driving is dangerous, but 42 percent said they had read a text or email while driving in the past month.
- Most people said that distracted driving has become a bigger problem in the past three years, but 70 percent said they had talked on the phone while driving in the past month.
- Although speeding is a factor in about 10,000 deaths per year, close to half of those surveyed said they were guilty of it on freeways and residential streets.
- Intersection collisions cause nearly 700 deaths and 125,000 injuries, and drivers deplore people who run red lights, but 39 percent of those surveyed said that in the past month they had run a light that had just turned red, even though they could have stopped safely.
- Virtually everyone sees drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety, but more than 30 percent said they have had trouble keeping their eyes open while driving in the past 30 days.
Maybe police have given up. I think our political leaders need to use the bully pulpit and ask motorists to begin to obey the law and drive more safely. It's better for them and safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Labels: AAA, motorist behavior, scofflaw motorists
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Share the Road video from LAB and AAA
AAA and the League of American Bicyclists joined forces to produce a good video showing that "cyclists" are people: fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives. See the Streetsblogs post AAA Releases Bike Safety PSA at Bike Summit.We're hopeful that AAA is sincere in their partnership with the League. AAA Mid-Atlantic has been one of the most consistently anti-bike organizations around. For details, search the term "AAA" on the WashCycle. We're hoping that the Mid-Atlantic office is just out of step with the rest of AAA.
Anyway, we like the video and hope it's seen by lots of people.
We're working on a recap of the bike summit; we'll post it any day now.
Labels: AAA, aaa mid-atlantic, the wash cycle
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sign petition against to fight cuts in bicycle funding proposed by AAA
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has received more than 30,000 signatures on their petition to AAA opposing cuts to bicycle facility funding. More than half of the signatures are from AAA members. From the Rails-to-Trails AAA petition page:The president of AAA Mid-Atlantic recently advocated for the elimination of existing federal programs that help build bicycle and pedestrian trails and sidewalks from the trust fund that finances transportation. These funds have helped create more than 19,000 miles of trails, walking and bicycling facilities across the country—likely including your favorite nearby trail.
AAA Mid-Atlantic suggests that an $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall can be blamed on investments in walking and bicycling. But those investments total less than $1 billion annually and produce tremendous benefits for everyone, including drivers.
The reality is that many bicyclists drive, support AAA, pay gas taxes and want balanced transportation systems that provide the choice to get around in a variety of ways—for commuting or daily errands, or for fun and exercise.
If AAA's false ideas take root, America’s transportation future—one where communities are more livable and people have safe and convenient choices for getting around—is in jeopardy.
Help us show AAA that trail, walking and bicycling programs actually benefit everyone, very much including their own members!
Send a message to AAA and sign the petition today.AAA Mid-Atlantic suggests that an $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall can be blamed on investments in walking and bicycling. But those investments total less than $1 billion annually and produce tremendous benefits for everyone, including drivers.
The reality is that many bicyclists drive, support AAA, pay gas taxes and want balanced transportation systems that provide the choice to get around in a variety of ways—for commuting or daily errands, or for fun and exercise.
If AAA's false ideas take root, America’s transportation future—one where communities are more livable and people have safe and convenient choices for getting around—is in jeopardy.
Help us show AAA that trail, walking and bicycling programs actually benefit everyone, very much including their own members!
Labels: AAA, aaa mid-atlantic
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Road lobby hates Region Forward 2050
See the excellent post at Greater Greater Washington entitled Plan for bikes, peds, transit as well as cars? Heresy! to read about why it is important to weigh in on the MWCOG report on the future of the region, Region Forward 2050 (also known as the Greater Washington 2050 report). The road lobby is aghast that MWCOG would have the audacity to suggest the DC regional grow smarter, with more public transit, with compact development where residents can easily walk and bike.Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance and AAA Mid-Atlantic are fighting those recommendations because it doesn't support their vision of more and wider roads covering the region. It's important that the rest of us provide comments supporting the MWCOG vision for the future.
Labels: AAA, greater washington 2050, northern virginia transportation alliance
