Recent research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety yields startling news about drivers' behavior. According to their findings, even with one in three drivers having loved ones that were seriously injured or killed in a car accident and one in five that were personally involved in a crash, they chose to continue unsafe driving practices. This unsafe behavior includes speeding habitually, using devices that pull attention from the road, driving drowsy, and even running red lights. President of the AAA Foundation, Peter Kissinger, says “large numbers of motorists seem to recognize the risks of certain behaviors but do them anyway.”

The recent annual survey from AAA found that in the preceding 30 days, self-reported unsafe driving habits persisted. These practices include:

• Speeding (10 or more mph), 65% said it is unacceptable even though 44% admitted they do it.

• Texting or emailing, 84% said this practice is completely unacceptable, 79% held this as very serious threat to safety, yet 27 % reported sending a message while driving.

• Driving while drowsy, 81% claimed this was unacceptable, 45% said it's a very serious threat, and still 29% confessed to drowsy driving.

• Running red lights, 73% thought it was completely unacceptable, 55% believed it is a very serious safety threat, yet 36% of drivers acknowledged running red lights.

With car accidents in the U.S. ranking among the leading cause of death and Arizona DPS cracking down on distracted driving, safety behind the wheel should always be at the forefront of your mind. Knowing certain practices are dangerous is not enough. To prevent serious injury or death for yourself or someone you love always drive with care.

Jay Ciulla is a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer.