I have heard that the steps keep us from killing ourselves, and the traditions keep us from killing each other.
Seriously, the traditions are about the long term survival of the fellowship and its message for the still suffering alcoholic, as are the concepts.
These are the principles that have enabled our fellowship to grow and flourish, they enabled it to be there when I walked in the door.
Each AA member has a responsibility to learn at least a little about these things, and sponsors and groups have a responsibility to teach and encourage a working knowledge of traditions and concepts in those they send off to wider AA service.
It's just common sense that if your group wants to be represented at (say) area level, it should send someone who actually knows something about how it is all supposed to work.
Bob D gives a great talk on how he applies the traditions in his personal and business life well worth listening to.