DEARBORN, MI. (May 29, 2018) — As part of its legacy of traffic safety advocacy, the attached Transportation Survey was released by AAA-The Auto Club Group today. The survey of its Michigan members reveals some staggering, yet unsurprising statistics when it comes to road conditions and motorist safety:
Michigan Road/Bridge Quality
- 89% Rate the conditions as fair or poor
- Only 2% Rate the conditions as very good or excellent
While AAA supports recent efforts made by state lawmakers to approve an additional $400 million for road repairs, sustainable funding solutions appear to remain elusive. The survey validates these concerns with over 50% of respondents believing that existing state and federal revenues are not enough to maintain the roads in their current condition and nearly 70% of the respondents believing that transportation resources are not being allocated appropriately in Michigan.
“Our members’ concerns echo those of motorists across Michigan. They are frustrated by crumbling roads and bridges and most believe today’s policy and spending framework isn’t getting the job done,” said Heather Drake, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, AAA-The Auto Club Group.
Responses varied widely on options for increasing transportation funding, with over 60% of respondents saying they would not be willing to pay more in taxes and fees to support Michigan’s transportation system.
And of the various funding options polled, results were mixed.
Percentage of Survey Respondents Supporting Each Funding Option
|
Base (n=) |
967 |
|
Using general revenue to pay for transportation |
25% |
|
Selling bonds to raise funds |
20% |
|
Charge tolls on new roads and highway lanes |
19% |
|
Increase gasoline taxes |
16% |
|
Charge tolls on existing toll-free roads and highway lanes |
16% |
|
Charge tax based on vehicle miles traveled (e.g., road usage charge) |
13% |
|
Increase registration/plate fees |
12% |
|
Adjust gas taxes based on road construction costs |
11% |
|
Increase other taxes to pay for transportation (sales, income, property taxes) |
9% |
|
None, do not support any of the above |
30% |
“The clear consensus is that there is not clear consensus on ways to raise more funds for roads,” Drake said. “This is the reality lawmakers are facing in working with drivers, and it emphasizes even more the importance of information and education in solving our chronic infrastructure problems.”
The AAA Member Survey was conducted online among AAA members in Michigan from May 14–21, 2018, and has a maximum margin of error of ±3.2 percentage points. A total of 967 AAA members responded.
AAA in Michigan celebrated its 100th Anniversary - A Century of Service in 2016 and has over 1.4 million members across the state. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG). Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.5 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 58 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
