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Shelley Osterloh Reporting...A new national poll reveals that drivers --- more than traffic conditions or vehicles --- are the greatest safety threat on the road. But a new safety driving initiative, just announced today, hopes to improve our driving habits.
A poll of 11-hundred Americans shows, drivers admit they knowingly and routinely engage in careless driving behavior.
Charlie Crist, Attorney General of Florida: "THE PROBLEM ISN'T THE CARS. AND IT ISN'T THE ROADS... THE PROBLEM IS US. "
Drivers of all ages have some poor driving habits.
Susan Pikrallidas, AAA: " AND WHILE MANY WORRY ABOUT THE OLDEST AND YOUNGEST DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, THE POLL REVEALED IT IS THE HARRIED HURRIED, OVER STRESSED DRIVERS IN THE MIDDLE --THOSE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 26 AND 44 WHO ADMIT TO THE MOST DANGEROUS DRIVING BEHAVIORS. "
The poll shows most drivers engage in one of more activities while driving: for instance 59% say they eat while driving. 37% say they talk on a cell phone. 14 % admit to reading while driving. A clear majority of drivers (71%) speed and most believe its okay to routinely exceed the speed limit by 5 miles an hour.
The group that sponsored the study has also created a simple online test that drivers can take to check their own driving habits and knowledge.
Last year more than 42-thousand people died on America's roads. The Drive For Life campaign hopes to lower those fatality numbers and make good driving a way of life.
If you want to brush up on safe driving practices with a quick test, take a driving personality test and learn about the keys to safe driving.
