Most Americans Support Impaired Driving Countermeasures in Cars, AAA Survey Finds
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (Dec.15, 2025) – With impaired driving still a persistent - and deadly - threat on American roads, a majority of people support a range of impaired driving countermeasures that could significantly reduce fatalities, according to a new AAA survey.
The annual AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) examines changes in driving patterns and concerns people have about driving in general. The results from this year’s study highlight a clear pattern: most Americans want stronger safeguards that prevent impaired driving, including advanced vehicle technologies and stronger legal standards even though some drivers admitted to taking dangerous risks themselves.
Key findings:
- 67% support requiring all new cars to include alcohol impairment prevention technology.
- 51% support lowering the legal BAC limit from 0.08 to 0.05.
- Traffic deaths remain unacceptably high: an estimated 39,000 people were killed in 2024 (NHTSA).
While the vast majority of participants acknowledged that impaired driving was unacceptable, some admitted to doing so anyway. That follows other AAA research that found a recent rise in other unsafe behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and even road rage.
- 93% say driving after drinking is very or extremely dangerous, yet 7% say they did so in the past 30 days.
- 70% say driving within an hour of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous — and 6% reported doing so.
“The reality is impaired driving has negatively impacted everyone in some way,” AAA Mountain West Group Spokesperson Doug Johnson said. “While it’s encouraging to see widespread support for new safety measures, there’s no replacement for a common sense approach to saying no to drinking and driving.”
The survey also found risky behavior persists in other areas:
Distracted Driving
- 97% say scrolling social media, 94% texting/emailing, and 90% reading on a hand-held phone are extremely or very dangerous — yet 28% texted, 37% read messages, and 36% talked on a hand-held phone while driving.
- 79% support a hand-held phone ban; only 40% support limits on hands-free use.
Aggressive Driving and Speeding
- 90% view aggressive driving and 80% view running red lights as extremely or very dangerous behaviors.
- Fewer drivers saw speeding as dangerous compared to other risky behaviors.
- 58% believe they’d be caught driving 15 mph over the limit, yet about half did so in the past month.
- Only 46% support speed cameras on residential streets.
December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and AAA is teaming up with MADD and Waymo to remind drivers to always plan a sober ride home whenever they go out to celebrate.
For more information on survey methodology, data considerations, and results, please refer to the full Traffic Safety Culture Index report.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, and Utah. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.