Hot Buttons: Talk show topics

UNSAFE DRIVING

A recent Autobytel Inc. survey found a solid majority (66.7 percent) of respondents saying they generally drive at least 5-10 mph over the speed limit -- despite the fact that more than 80 percent expressed concern that speeding or careless drivers pose a major threat to children in their neighborhoods.

In another notable finding, 74 percent of those surveyed indicated that they personally know somebody who has been involved, injured or killed in a speeding-related accident.

In an effort to improve Americans' unsafe neighborhood driving habits, online car buying and information site Carsmart.com is taking a North Carolina grandmother's grass roots "Take The Pledge" campaign national.

"The Pledge" is the brainchild of Sherry Williams, who first penned the safe driving credo last December in response to the growing numbers of aggressive, unsafe drivers in her otherwise quiet Charlotte neighborhood. She posted homemade signs in her front yard urging passersby to "Take The Pledge: Drive The Limit." She also called five friends and urged each of them to take The Pledge (and asked each to call five friends and do the same, etc.). Her campaign sparked a groundswell of local support -- and is credited with causing a dramatic decrease in speeding and unsafe driving incidents in her community. The Autobytel Inc. survey also affirms The Pledge's underlying premise that personal initiative -- as opposed to increased government spending or legislation -- is the most effective remedy. Seventy-six percent of respondents indicated a belief that "change must come from 'within' -- we must work to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding so that people will choose to drive more safely."

"The goal of The Pledge is simply to make people more conscious of their driving, and how it impacts the safety of neighborhood kids and families," said Williams. "The good news is that The Pledge has already helped to make my neighborhood safer. The even better news is that my neighborhood is just the beginning."

-- Do you generally drive below, at or above the speed limit? Have you ever been ticketed for speeding? What's your reaction to the "Take The Pledge" campaign?

(Web site: carsmart.com)

THE BRITISH MONARCHY

The British monarchy has had its ups and downs of late, but Britons rate Queen Elizabeth II as the nation's best asset -- well ahead of its prime minister, Tony Blair. That's according to a public opinion poll published Wednesday.

But that doesn't mean she should remain on the throne for the rest of her life, the Daily Mirror newspaper/GMTV television survey said. More than half of those questioned believe the queen should abdicate now or within the next few years.

Britain's top royal is definitely favored over its top political leader, at least on their record for the past half decade. When asked who had done the most for the nation's reputation in the last five years, 27 percent named Queen Elizabeth, while only 19 percent named Blair.

Experience may have something to do with it. Blair became prime minister only five years ago. The queen has been on the throne for 50 years and was off to the west of England Wednesday to begin three months of her golden jubilee touring the nation to celebrate.

Of those polled by the Daily Mirror, four out of 10 felt Queen Elizabeth should remain where she is until she dies. But 53 percent believe she should step down either now or "in a few years."

Queen Elizabeth indicated in a personal address before the joint Houses of Parliament Tuesday that she intends to carry on as monarch for the rest of her life. It was her sixth such appearance in her half-century of wearing the crown.

But hers is a long-lived family -- her mother died last month at the age of 101.

If the queen remains on the throne much longer, two-thirds of those questioned in the Daily Mirror poll said they would favor the succession bypassing Prince Charles in favor of his and Diana's older son, Prince William.

-- What do you think?

(Thanks to UPI's Al Webb in London)