PLAY IT SAFE ON THE ROAD (NAPSA)—A recent survey found that American drivers take their safety seriously. The survey ranked a number of American cities based on the percentage of aggressive driving acts respondents reported having committed. Cities with lower percentages received better grades. TheSteelAlliance Safety Grade, sponsored by TheSteelAlliance in partnership with AAA Mid-Atlantic, found that overall, American drivers are safe. As a whole, the country has received a grade of “A,” but the ranking of 8 different cities shows a wide variance in drivers’ behaviors. Cleveland and Detroit were found to have the safest drivers in the U.S., but Boston received an “F” and Miami and Washington, DC, both earned “D’s”. Talk Can Be Tough. More than 54 percent of drivers surveyed felt talking on a cellular phone while driving is more dangerous than otherdistractions. According to Lon Anderson, director of AAA Mid-Atlantic public and governmentrelations, however, all distractions are dangerous. “It is important for people to understand that any distraction that takes their eyes off the road, such as eating, changing the radio station or dialing a cell phone can lead to an accident,” Anderson says. Safety Counts. According to drivers, what you drive is as TheSteelAlliance 2001 Safety Grade City Grade Boston Chicago Cleveland F B A Detroit A Miami D Dallas Los Angeles Washington, DC B C =D @ A recent survey found that driving behaviors vary among U.S. cities. important as how you drive. When asked what safety component of an automobile they considered to be effective, the major- ity of respondents (72 percent) said steel protection of any type would effectively protect them and their families. Bill Heenan, president of TheSteelAlliance, said that’s because more people have become aware that steel is one of the strongest materials available. “Having safety cages and reinforced steel side beams give dri- vers peace of mind that they are protected on the road,” he says. For more information and safe driving tips, visit www.TheNewSteel.com.
