SAN FRANCISCO – A new study from traffic safety advocate AAA finds 35 percent of drivers feel less safe than they did five years ago, and many are engaging in the very behaviors they recognize as unsafe, including a startling number of motorists who admit to texting while driving.

“There are so many motorists in California who would never consider drinking and driving, yet somehow they make the decision to text or e-mail while driving,” said Jenny Mack, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “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.”

The 2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illustrates an ongoing trend of motorists exhibiting a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude towards driving behaviors:

• Ninety percent of respondents said people driving after drinking alcohol was a very serious threat to their safety; 87 percent said the same about text messaging or e-mailing while driving.

• Over two-thirds admitted to talking on a cell phone and 21 percent admitted to reading or sending a text message or e-mail while driving in the past month.

• Nine out of 10 people considered running a red light unacceptable, yet 26 percent of those same people admitted to running a red light.

• Nine out of 10 people considered tailgating unacceptable, yet 24 percent of those same people admitted to tailgating in the past 30 days.

“This survey shines the spotlight on bad driving behavior while raising some dangerous public misconceptions,” added Mack. “AAA would like to end the belief that ‘it’s the other guy’s problem’ and end the false sense of security that ‘if I chat on a hands-free cell phone I’m somehow safer.”’

The AAA Foundation continues to shed light on the lack of American traffic safety culture and is working to build a social climate in which traffic safety is highly valued and rigorously pursued. Given the preventable nature of the majority of traffic deaths, AAA implores drivers to stay off the phone, buckle up, don’t drink and drive, and obey the speed limit. For more information, visit www.aaa.com/saferdriving .

AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 4 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.