PennDOT seeks input for annual highway safety survey

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey found at www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.
“Safety is our top priority and we value continued public engagement in making our roadways safer,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The results from this annual survey help us gauge participants’ attitudes on highway safety, and potentially allow us to adjust our safety activities so we can further reduce crashes and fatalities.”
The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through Aug. 17 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses, including the “comments” fields, are anonymous.
More than 10,000 people responded to last year’s survey. Notably, nearly 91% of respondents said they always wear a seat belt and 89% said they never drive while impaired. When asked which behaviors distracted them while driving in the last month, only 14% of respondents indicated “Using a hand-held cell phone” was a distraction. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed indicated “Adjusting the radio or climate controls” was a distraction, while 37% indicated they were distracted by an object outside of the vehicle.
“Driving is a skill that requires 100% of your attention 100% of the time, and distractions are everywher; it’s not just your cellphone,” said Gramian. “Don’t drive distracted.”