A national poll reporting high numbers of people admitting to engaging in risky behaviors while driving has caused local police departments to consider new programs to improve driving in Ames.

Capt. Gene Deisinger of the ISU Department of Public Safety, said more education to new and inexperienced drivers would be beneficial.

Deisinger cited an example of a campus accident that occurred several years ago. He said a teenager was driving through campus while turning his radio dial. Distracted, he hit an ISU staff member who nearly died from complications.

The study, which surveyed 1,100 people, reported that 71 percent of respondents said they sped; 59 percent ate while driving; 37 percent talked on a cell phone while driving; 28 percent did not wear a seat belt; 26 percent have turned without using a turn signal and 14 percent have even read while driving.

The poll, released May 27, was conducted for the national campaign, Drive For Life: The National Safe Driving Test Initiative, according to the campaign’s Web site, www.safedrivingtest.com. The project consists of a partnership between organizations such as Volvo Cars of North America, American Automobile Association and Partners for Highway Safety.

“This is going to be a multi-year project,” said Alyce Alpern, spokesperson for the campaign. “[It is] the most ambitious national driver education initiative in recent years.”

Alpern said in the 1950s similar campaigns occurred because more people began driving. In recent years, there has not been as many drivers’ safety campaigns, she said.

“We have become a society of multi-taskers,” Alpern said. “We are CEOs eating in the car while heading to a meeting with the kids in the back.”

She said this campaign is designed to teach people how to make good decisions while driving.

Respondents to the Drive For Life poll seem to agree. The poll reported 69 percent of those questioned are in favor of re-testing teen drivers.

Deisinger said the biggest risky behavior the ISU Police officers see is drivers talking on cell phones.

“Does [talking on cell phones] cause distractions while driving for everybody? No. Does it cause a number of problems? Yes,” Deisinger said.

Cmdr. Jim Robinson of the Ames Police Department said he agreed this campaign would be beneficial. He said people are preoccupied while driving by performing such tasks as putting on makeup and talking on cell phones.

However, police cannot give tickets unless the distractions cause drivers to perform reckless driving maneuvers, he said.

To increase driving safety, Robinson said the police department has STEP, the Special Traffic Enforcement Program. The state-funded program brings in additional officers specifically looking for traffic violations such as speeding and seat belt violations.

Ticketing is not the whole solution, Alpern said.

“A lot of people say that tickets will change behavior,” Alpern said, “But we need to be taking responsibility for ourselves.”