A new study from AAA found that 35 percent of drivers feel less
safe than they did five years ago, according to a press release
from the organization. Many of those took the survey also are doing
the very things they think are unsafe, including text messaging
while driving. For Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller, the problem
is that there is always the temptation to text while driving or
talk on the phone in the car, which takes away concentration from
the road.
HOLLISTER
A new study from AAA found that 35 percent of drivers feel less safe than they did five years ago, according to a press release from the organization. Many of those took the survey also are doing the very things they think are unsafe, including text messaging while driving.
For Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller, the problem is that there is always the temptation to text while driving or talk on the phone in the car, which takes away concentration from the road.
“I follow those temptations, too,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t fall into those temptations.
“It’s not worth it in the long run to do those things that take away your attention or contribute to hazards on the roadway.”
He added that he falls into the temptation of texting or talking while driving, he would never send a text message while driving and tries to pull to the side of the road to talk on the phone.
The study found that 90 percent of respondents said that people driving after drinking was a very serious threat to their safety, and 87 percent felt the same way about texting or e-mailing while driving. While there is major concern about texting and driving, 21 percent of respondents said that they have read or sent a text message while driving in the past month. Over two-thirds of them also said they have talked on a phone while driving in the past month.
When Miller heard the statistic that only 90 percent of the survey respondents thought that drunk driving was a serious problem, he had this to say: “I’m concerned about the other 10 (percent) that don’t have a problem with drinking and driving.”
The study also addressed other safety concerns like tailgating and running a red light. In both scenarios, nine out of 10 respondents said that either action is unacceptable. However, 26 percent of those said they have run a red light, and 24 percent admitted to tailgating in the past 30 days.
While Miller did not have specific statistics back up what areas “contribute a great deal to collisions and problems on the roadway,” he told the Free Lance three problem areas for drivers. They include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, inattention to the road and speeding as the three problem areas for drivers.
For Sheriff Curtis Hill, the most troublesome driving-related issues that cause accidents are speeding, tailgating and failure to stop at a stop sign. He added that tailgating is a “big one” in terms of causing traffic accidents. Through his observations of other drivers on the road, Hill said that he thinks safety has been de-valued by drivers.
“It’s only an observation, but I think (safety) has (been de-valued), especially with high speed and running stop signs,” he said. “There’s no shortage of cars to stop for vehicle violations in the law enforcement business.”
Miller said that a lot of people had talked on their cell phones while driving before it was illegal and even though the law exempts police officers while on duty, he still tries to pull over while talking on his phone in the car. However, he said that texting while driving is a bigger problem than talking.
“Talking while driving is not as bad as texting,” Miller said. “(But) if you’re reading while driving, that’s a problem.”
Studies have shown that the lack of concentration given to the road while texting and driving is “concerning” to Miller.
Hill also had a similar sentiment about the lack of concentration that is given to the road while looking at a cell phone.
“Anybody who has ever spent time looking down at their phone … every single person would admit that they’ve almost hit a car in front of them,” Hill said.
He added that it is something people need to be aware of and drivers need to be careful.
The release says this study is an illustration of an ongoing trend among drivers “exhibiting a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude towards driving behaviors.”
AAA Northern California Spokesperson Jenny Mack said that many would never drink and drive, yet would engage in other illegal and unsafe things while driving.
“There are so many motorist in California who would never consider drinking and driving, yet somehow they make the decision to text or e-mail while driving,” she said in the release. “Besides being dangerous, it’s against the law in California. Using mobile devices while driving is banned for drivers 16 to 18 and all drivers over the age of 18 are required to use a hands-free device.”
For more information on the study and safe driving, visit www.aaa.com/safedriving.
Below is the latest installment of The News and You, a talk show devoted to San Benito County. This week’s focus is the local roads.
