EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AFTER 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 1999

Banks and Foreign Military Lead the List of Y2K Worries

Banking networks and foreign military systems lead the list of the nation's Y2K worries, with majorities of Americans saying they expect the computer bug to cause some disruptions in these areas. And as many as one in three people expect those disruptions to be "serious" ones.

While the numbers who expect serious disruptions don't approach majorities, they do encompass millions of Americans. Thirty-three percent expect serious disruptions in foreign military systems; 28 percent in financial and air traffic control systems; and 23 percent in power distribution networks.

At the same time, only 10 percent of Americans expect serious disruptions in their own lives as a result of the Y2K problem, an ABC Weekend News poll has found. And majorities, 56 percent, believe both the federal government and private businesses are doing enough to prepare for the millennial bug.

To be sure, though, many plan precautions: Nearly one in three Americans say they are planning to take some steps to reduce possible Y2K disruptions in their own lives. Those range from stockpiling consumer goods to fixing the home PC.

PROBLEMS - Most broadly, 45 percent expect Y2K to cause some economic problems in this country, and 22 percent expect those to be serious problems. Thirty-eight percent expect "social disruptions," 19 percent serious. And 31 percent expect disruptions in their own lives; 10 percent expect these to be serious.

SPECIFICS - When it comes to specific areas, the public is less concerned about disruptions in U.S. military system than in foreign ones. And concerns about disruptions in the food supply system trail those about disruptions in power supply, air traffic and banks.

DID YOU GET THE HUGGIES? – Twenty-nine percent in this poll say they are planning to do something to reduce possible disruptions in their own lives as a result of the Y2K problem. Stockpiling consumables leads the list at 13 percent; stockpiling money or valuables is next, cited by eight percent.

GROUPS - The strongest demographic differences in these results are in age groups:

Younger adults more likely to expect the Y2K bug to create some economic and social disruptions; older adults are less likely to expect problems. Women also are somewhat more likely to expect Y2K problems.

METHODOLOGY - This poll was conducted by telephone March 5-8, 1999 among a random national sample of 1,015 adults. The results have an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points. Field work by ICR Survey Research of Media, Pa.

Analysis by Ben Fitzpatrick and Gary Langer of ABC News.

ABC News polls are available at ABCNews.com on the Internet. News and research organizations may receive ABC New polls via e-mail; to join the list send a request to Ben.Fitzpatrick@ABC.com

Here are the full results:

1. As you may know, some computers may have trouble operating after January First, 2000, because of a programming issue known as Y2K. Do you think the Y2K issue will create (READ ITEM), or not? (IF YES)) Do you think it will create serious (ITEM), or not serious?

2. Are you personally planning to do anything to reduce possible disruptions in your own life as a result of the Y2K issue or not?

*=Percentages are of total sample. Multiple responses accepted.

3. Do you think the Y2K issue will or will not cause disruption in [AREA].(IF YES) Do you think that will be serious disruption, or not serious?

4. Do you think the federal government is or is not doing enough to prevent serious disruptions that may result from the Y2K issue?

5. Do you think private businesses in this country are or are not doing enough to prevent serious disruptions that may result from the Y2K issue?

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