Each year, AAA Colorado participates in a national public affairs survey that is mailed to 1,500 Colorado AAA members asking for responses to national and state issues. A total of 41 questions were asked, including 17 relating to topics of local interest. During a three-week period last November, 27 percent of Colorado members surveyed responded. The questions focused on a variety of topics including child passenger safety, aggressive driving, licensing, cellular phones, privacy and urban sprawl/congestion, to name a few. Here are some key findings.

Urban Sprawl/Congestion

Over 90 percent of these members feel that rapid expansion of our suburban communities is a significant/very significant problem. Of the five reasons offered to explain this expansion, 50 percent felt the main reason was affordable housing, followed by job opportunities (17 percent), better education (15 percent), roadway expansion (14 percent) and improved consumer services (4 percent).

While 62 percent agree that the primary factor contributing to urban sprawl is people's desire to live in the suburbs, 24 percent agree it is the public's over-reliance on the automobile, followed by 13 percent who believe that it is a lack of transportation alternatives.

Of those members who run errands and/or drive to work, 64 percent would be willing to change their mode of transportation if it would ease congestion. More than half (57 percent) of respondents who are willing to change their mode of transportation say they would choose light rail, followed by 24 percent who would travel by bus and 20 percent who would car pool.

If you would like to answer the questions in this survey. If you have questions or comments, you may e-mail Mary Greer, director of public relations and government affairs for AAA Colorado.

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