Annual Survey Grades Americans on Their Safe Driving Behaviors

    WASHINGTON, May 21 The third annual consumer safe driving
survey, commissioned by TheSteelAlliance, gives Boston an F -- making it the
most unsafe of all cities surveyed.  Seven other major cities -- Chicago,
Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C., earned
grades ranging from "A" to "D."

    TheSteelAlliance Safety Grade provides a ranking for each city surveyed,
comparing the safety of drivers across the U.S. by assessing the percentage of
aggressive driving acts that have been committed in the past month (at the
time the survey was conducted).  Grades for the 2001 survey are as follows:

    TheSteelAlliance 2001 Safety Grade

    City                    Grade
    Boston                    F
    Chicago                   B
    Cleveland                 A
    Dallas                    B
    Detroit                   A
    Los Angeles               C
    Miami                     D
    Washington, DC            D

    Boston drivers are the most unsafe of all the cities surveyed -- 66% of
Bostonians rate their city as an unsafe place to drive, versus 37% nationally.
More than half (55%) of those surveyed in Boston felt their fellow drivers
were more rude than drivers in other cities.  In the past month (at the time
the survey was conducted), drivers in this city were more likely than their
national counterparts to have personally flashed high beams (14% vs. 9%), made
rude gestures (13% vs. 9%), driven over the speed limit (70% vs. 55%), honked
their horn (41% vs. 29%) or talked on a cell phone while driving (46% vs.
39%).  Safety Grade: F

    After receiving an F for their driving safety grade last year, Cleveland
drivers cleaned up their act.  Clevelanders were most likely (compared to
those surveyed in other major cities) to say that driving in their city is
safe -- only 11% say it is less safe than other cities. Driving acts such as
making rude gestures, driving over the speed limit, double parking and/or
driving through a yellow light all ranked lower as aggressive or dangerous
driving behaviors in Cleveland than the national average. Safety Grade: A

    Despite recent reports that state talking on a cell phone while driving is
not considered a major distraction that causes accidents, Americans feel
differently.  More than half (54%) of drivers surveyed think that talking on a
cellular phone while driving is more dangerous than other distractions; yet,
39% admit to committing this behavior in the past month.

    "It is important for people to understand that any distraction that takes
their eyes off the road, such as changing the radio station, eating or
answering or dialing a cell phone, can be dangerous and lead to an accident.
We are not against people having cell phones in their cars, but do believe
motorists need to be better educated about their safe usage.  Statistics show
that cell phones can be a valuable safety tool in helping summon roadside
assistance or directions to a destination," said Lon Anderson, director, AAA
Public and Government Relations, Mid-Atlantic.

    While drivers still rate seat belts and airbags as effective methods of
protection during an automobile accident, an increasing number (7.5% increase
over the 2000 survey) mentioned steel as an effective protector.  When asked
about what safety component of an automobile they considered the most
effective, the majority of the drivers (72%) said that in the case of a car
crash, steel protection of any kind would effectively protect them and their
family.  In addition, driving a car designed for safety was offered more as a
defense against aggressive driving in 2001 that it was for 2000 or 1999 (8%
versus 6% and 3%, respectively).

    Bill Heenan, president of TheSteelAlliance, said, "More people have become
aware that steel is one of the strongest materials known to man.  Having steel
safety cages and reinforced steel side beams give drivers peace of mind that
they are protected on the road."

    To protect against aggressive drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recommends that drivers plan ahead before taking trips,
consider alternate routes, obey the speed limit and always try to be courteous
while driving. Consumers can find more tips for staying safe and calm on the
road by visiting http://www.TheNewSteel.com .

    TheSteelAlliance is a coalition of more than 110 steel producers and
affiliated organizations that came together for the first time in 1997 to
launch a campaign to educate consumers about the benefits of steel.

    METHODOLOGY

    Global Strategy Group conducted a nationally representative telephone
survey, of 1000 adult, licensed drivers.  All interviewing was conducted
between March 29 and April 4, 2001.  Concurrently, telephone surveys were
conducted with 100 adult licensed drivers in each of eight cities: Boston,
Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC.

    This national survey represents the third wave of interviewing beginning
with a baseline study in 1999 and a wave in 2000.  City-specific surveys have
been conducted each year in different cities.

    The margin of error is +/-3.1 percent.