There is always intense scrutiny by the public when new laws are passed and many question the government’s involvement in specific issues, but when it comes to road safety, a new survey finds that laws and government action is needed to improve highway safety and reduce deaths.

The study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that 62 percent of Americans want more laws to prevent people from dangerous behavior behind the wheel and 57 percent want their state to do more to make roads safer. Seventy percent feel that driving laws should be more strictly enforced.

In addition, 86 percent feel new drivers should complete a driver’s education course before they get a license, and 60 percent think the automakers should do more to make safer cars.

The AAA survey comes at a time when the United Nations has launched a 10-year campaign to reduce global deaths by 2020. Just as the AIDS campaign used red ribbons as an iconic symbol, the Decade of Action for Road Safety program is using a caution-sign-shaped yellow tag that people can wear to show support and to commit to safe driving. As the organization works with governments to effect change, expect to see this symbol more often.

Nearly 1.3 million people die every year on the world's roads, and up to 50 million are injured. Deaths are expected to rise to 1.9 million by 2020. Roadway accidents are the leading cause of death for young people globally and in the United States.

Traffic fatalities are down to their lowest level in the United States, but more can be done to reduce these preventable deaths at home and abroad.

Learn more at decadeofaction.org.