Over 70% Of Twin Cities Drivers Snack While Driving

Minneapolis, MN - Many drivers in the Twin Cities are distracted by talking on a cell phone or eating and drinking when driving. According to a poll conducted by Ipsos/Maccabee Group for AAA Minneapolis, 71% of Twin Minneapolis/St. Paul drivers admit to eating or drinking beverages while driving, while 58% admit to talking on their cell phone. Amongst younger drivers, these activities are even more prevalent. Of those 18-34 years of age, more than three quarters (77%) say that they eat or drink while driving, while 70% say they talk on their cell phone. In fact, almost one-third (31%) of these younger drivers say they actually text message while driving.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos/Maccabee Group online poll conducted June 11th to June 13th, 2008 for AAA Minneapolis. For the survey, a sample of 1,028 randomly selected AAA Minneapolis/St. Paul drivers were interviewed. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of AAA Minneapolis/St. Paul drivers been polled. The margin of error will be larger within sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted by age and gender across 7 counties of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to ensure that the sample matches the profile of area drivers as a whole.

Given the distractions to which Twin Cities drivers admit, it is ironic that other distracted drivers is the greatest cause of stress for drivers. In fact, 60% say that they are stressed out by other distracted drivers who may be putting on makeup or talking on the cell phone. This is higher than any other activity tested. The next most common stressor is improper merging (57% mention this), followed by tailgating (51%), heavy traffic (31%) and slow drivers (31%).

On a positive note, drivers in the Twin Cities are taking some steps to be as safe as possible on the roads. Ninety-one percent of AAA Minneapolis drivers say that they always wear a seat belt, with another 6% saying they wear it when they think of it or remember to do so and 1% who wear seat belts on long trips. Just 1% say they never wear their seat belt.

For more information on this news release, please contact: Chris Deeney Senior Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs (312) 665-0551 [email protected]

Or Katie Fitzpatrick or Mike Weiner Maccabee Group (612) 337-0087

About AAA Minneapolis AAA Minneapolis is a full-service automotive, travel, insurance, financial and community services organization, serving nearly 185,000 members in the Hennepin County area. To learn more about AAA, log on to www.aaa.com.

About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos Public Affairs conducts national and international public opinion polling on behalf of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research. To learn more, visit www.ipsospa.com.

About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

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