Phoenix, Ariz. Sept. 23, 2010. More American drivers admit to feeling unsafe due to distracted driving, according to AAA. As a result, the auto club will join the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety to encourage distraction-free driving during its second annual Heads Up Driving Week, Sept. 26-Oct. 2.

In its third annual 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index, released this week, the foundation revealed several perceptions and behaviors of drivers nationwide. The following are highlights from the index:

• 52 percent of drivers feel less safe today than they did five years ago – a 17 percent increase from this time last year.
  
  

• 88 percent consider other drivers text messaging and e-mailing a very serious threat to their personal safety.
  
  

• 92 percent of drivers said that text messaging while driving was unacceptable. However, 24 percent of all those surveyed admitted to having read or sent a text message or e-mail while driving in the last month.
  
  

• 64 percent rated talking on a hand held cell phone as unacceptable, while just 42 percent placed talking on a hands-free device in the same category. However, 69 percent of those surveyed admitted to using a cell phone while driving in the last month, and 34 percent reported doing this often or regularly.

“Today, more drivers realize the severe threat texting and driving has to personal and public safety, yet many of them still have not addressed their own conduct behind the wheel to bring a stop to this growing problem,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “The goal of Heads Up Driving Week is to compel motorists to eliminate distractions in their cars, and ultimately change their long-term behavior for the safety of everyone on the road.”

Last year, AAA launched a lobbying campaign to ban texting while driving in all 50 states. Eleven states enacted laws prohibiting the risky activity in the past year, bring the total to 30 states and the District of Columbia.

Other than the city of Phoenix, there are no laws that restrict motorists from texting while driving in Arizona. However, the AAA Foundation’s most recent Traffic Safety Culture Index shows that 80 percent of motorists nationwide would support a law banning the practice.

“AAA Arizona encourages our state leaders to adopt distracted driving legislation that reduces the threat of this growing public safety epidemic,” said Gorman. “With effective laws in place—laws that the vast majority of Americans want adopted—we can reduce this dangerous distracted driving threat and prevent fatalities on Arizona roadways.”

To participate in Heads Up Driving Week, drivers can take a pledge to commit to distraction-free driving for the week and beyond. To sign the pledge, and to find more information about distracted driving, visit the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety website.

Drivers can get the latest safety news and find driver resources on AAA Arizona’s traffic safety news page. Parents can also enroll their teen drivers in the AAA Teen Driving Experience presented by Bondurant and learn how this first-of-its-kind program in the state will equip teens with life-saving driving skills.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services more than 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.