Report: 70% motorists say more transportation funding needed

More money is needed to maintain and improve the nation's transportation system, according to a new AAA survey released Tuesday. Over 70% of respondents to the nationwide survey published by the motoring and leisure travel organization agree that more funding should be devoted to improving transportation, as current funding is not keeping pace with demands on the system. The survey also revealed that 64% of motorists believe that in the last three years, the traffic they experience has become more congested. "In previous surveys and focus groups, we've seen more reluctance to increasing funding for transportation," said AAA President/CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. "When motorists are asked to pay more, they must receive direct and recognizable improvements to their travel experience." When respondents were asked to choose from a number of funding options, the most frequent choice (52%) was some form of toll option to help raise money to fund the U.S. transportation system. Despite recognizing transportation as in need of more funding, survey respondents ranked it sixth on a list of national priorities. "It demonstrates how much work all of us have to educate Americans about the importance of transportation to securing our economy and our way of life," Darbelnet said.