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Published Mar/Apr 2007 |
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Poll finds how motorists feel on current issues
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 More than 2,000 AAA members responded to a poll about traffic safety issues and transportation concerns in the January/ February issue of the AAA Midwest Traveler. Both state and federal legislators are being advised by AAA of the opinions expressed by AAA members in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Indiana who responded to the poll.HIGHWAY FUNDING While no one likes tax increases or new taxes, additional funds to improve and maintain highways will be given consideration at both the state and federal levels. So we asked AAA members to rank the least objectionable of five tax increases or tolls to boost funds for their state highway system. The order of least objectionable were: 1. Place tolls on new or expanded sections of roadways 2. Increase vehicle registration fee 3. Increase motor fuel per gallon tax 4. Place tolls on existing “free” roads 5. Impose a vehicle mile tax based on number of miles driven Several states have already allowed for the leasing of public roads to private companies for significant sums, and permitted these private companies to place or increase a toll on the road to recoup their investment and maintenance cost and make a profit. Other states and the federal government are promoting these types of public/private partnerships. But what does the public think? To gauge motorists’ attitudes toward these types of proposals, they were asked: Do you favor or oppose allowing states to generate revenue by leasing public roads and allowing tolls? An overwhelming 84 percent say No! If the road was already a toll road, the opposition continued but with less intensity as 76 percent say No! INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ENHANCEMENTS The nation’s Interstate Highway System celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and there is growing concerns of how to have the system continue to effectively serve as the country’s primary highway network. Looking at four possible enhancements to the Interstate Highway System, we asked its users to choose two of the four they would most like to see. They responded: Build truck-only lanes 33% Expand capacity on congested sections 31 Construct bypasses around major metropolitan areas 23 Add new routes to the Interstate Highway System 13 OPERATING COSTS Recently the price of gasoline averaged more than $2.50 and we may again see even higher prices. How much would the cost of gasoline have to get to before motorists seriously consider making major changes, like carpooling, using mass transit, walking/cycling, purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle, moving closer to work or reducing leisure trips? They replied: Have already made changes due to high gas prices 52% $3 13 $3.50 9 $4 8 More than $4 6 Would not make changes 13 High gasoline prices have already motivated a majority to change their driving habits. The following changes would be considered as the price of gas increases: Fewer and shorter leisure trips 36% Buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle 29 Taking mass transit 13 Reducing driving by walking/cycling 10 Carpooling 8 Moving closer to job 3 Compared to last year, 47 percent will be taking fewer leisure trips; 46 percent will be taking the same number and 7 percent will be increasing their leisure trips this year. HIGHWAY PROBLEMS/PRIORITIES Compared to three years ago, motorists rate the condition of state highways in their area as: Improved 46% Stayed to same 29 Declined 25 AAA members responding from Missouri, no doubt owing to the recent competition of the state’s Smoother, Safer, Sooner program, reported a 50 percent “Improved” rating and only 23 percent indicated that their road conditions had “Declined.” Illinois residents were most critical as 40 percent rated their roads as having Declined. Kansas roadways were rated 44 percent Improved and 20 percent Declined. Indiana’s were rated as 32 percent Improved and 26 percent Declined. When asked to rate the most important highway improvement from among several choices, they rated as their highest priority the following: Four laning of existing two-lane roads 30% Eliminating commuter bottlenecks 27 Resurfacing existing four-laned roads 20 Adding more road safety features (guardrails, etc.) 16 Widening secondary roads bridges 6 Of the five safety concerns from which motorists selected, their No. 1 concern was “distracted drivers.” Their concerns include: Distracted drivers 36% Large trucks 23 Aggressive drivers 20 Drunk drivers 15 Road conditions 6 |
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