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'Making Things Better for Motorists' Budd Elected Vice Chariman of National AAA Board

Wayne A. Budd

• AAA Driver Training Marks First Birthday
• AAA Begins Offering Registry Services in Mass.
• Tasca's Racing for the Funny Car Title

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‘Making Things Better for Motorists’
Budd Elected Vice Chairman of National AAA Board
By Christine E. McDermott

Wayne A. Budd

   Wayne A. Budd, a longtime member of AAA Southern New England’s Board of Directors, was recently elected Vice Chairman of AAA’s national Board of Directors. A Senior Counsel at the Boston law firm Goodwin Procter, Mr. Budd is a former U.S.    Attorney and former Associate Attorney General of the United States.
   AAA Horizons interviewed Mr. Budd about AAA’s advocacy role in matters of transportation and traffic safety.
   Q: You recently completed your first three-year term on AAA’s national Board. What were some of the key initiatives you worked on?
   A: Two of the most important things that are being looked at by the Public Affairs Department of AAA, and that the Board is very much interested in, have to do with senior mobility and teen driving. These issues are front and center.
   What I’ve learned over the time that I’ve been on the board is that the AAA brand is so powerful and so trusted, and people have such confidence in it, that we naturally are leaders in these areas. People — both AAA members and others, members of Congress and various state legislators — look to AAA for its views on issues having to do with road safety, enhancing motorists’ rights and the like.
   What’s gratifying for me as a longtime member of our local club board and a relatively new member of the national board is the wonderful power of our brand – AAA just reflects so much trust and confidence.
   Q: AAA has a long history of speaking out on behalf of motorists when it comes to transportation funding, and recently took on a higher profile than ever by launching a Capitol Hill campaign. How pleased is AAA with the support for transportation projects in the stimulus package, and how will motorists benefit?
   A: AAA was very much a part of shaping that package. Some infrastructure problems motorists face — not just in our territory but also throughout the United States — should be eased, and our road system should be enhanced. I think it’s a win-win to the end that it should have its intended effect of stimulating the economy, and it should also have the effect of making things better for motorists. AAA members come out on the top side at least twice.
   Q: Several years ago, the national board adopted a Motorists’ Bill of Rights. Why was this important?
   A: In order to have the desired effect and to have the message promulgate accurately and consistently, it would have to be out there. It’s like writing down the 10 Commandments: Since they’re there in writing, they become guideposts for all of us. It’s ever present.
   Q: AAA’s work on senior mobility has received national attention recently. What is different about AAA’s new approach?
   A: It’s about protecting seniors but also to help the offspring of seniors in terms of giving them some guidance and assistance to make the decision as to when mom or dad or grandparents should no longer drive. Among the next steps is to look at alternative transportation for seniors who are no longer able to drive.
   Q: On the subject of teen drivers in AAA Southern New England’s territory, there’s been a push for more parental involvement in the driver’s education process. Why is this key?
   A: It’s important to the safety of all motorists that teen drivers have the best training and learn to drive, first of all, properly, and then, under conditions that will provide best for their safety and that of all other motorists on the roads and highways.
   Q: How does the AAA INsider program for 13- to 15-year-olds tie in to that?
   A: The program is not just to get them interested in AAA but also give them exposure to the rules of the road – how to be safe. We’re proud to say that our Club is a national leader with the INsider program.
   Q: When you joined the local AAA board in the 1980s, did you expect to stay involved for so long?
   A: I had no idea — none whatsoever. I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to serve on the national Board. I believe in AAA, so it’s invigorating and, frankly, it’s an honor to be part of an organization that is so highly respected around the country and does such good work — and such important work. I’ve been a New Englander all my life, born and raised in Massachusetts.    I’m proud to represent this part of the country on our national Board of Directors, and I’m humbled by the fact that the organization would see fit to put me forward as the Vice Chairman of the national Board.

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AAA Driver Training Marks First Birthday
By Kimberley Edgar

   It’s been a year since the leaders in traffic safety began offering Bay State students driving lessons in southeastern Massachusetts.
   And as the AAA Driver Training School celebrates its first anniversary, it welcomes the world of opportunity to serve driving students in the region.
   In addition to operating its driving school out of its South Attleboro Branch, AAA Driver Training School has taught students at one high school in North Dartmouth and runs the AAA Old Colony Driving School out of several locations in the Rockland area.
   “We built the program from scratch,” said David J. Raposa, AAA Director of Public Affairs. “As we go into our second year, we’ll be looking to reach even more students with our signature training.”
   AAA Driver Training School offers 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training and six hours of student observation from its various locations.
   Also offered is the mandatory two-hour course for parents.
   In addition to South Attleboro, AAA Driver Training offers a driver-education program at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. And since last December, AAA Old Colony Driving School has been offering classes at locations in Rockland and Abington, as well as at Rockland High School, Pembroke High School, Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, Notre Dame Academy in Hingham and South Shore Vocational High School in Hanover.
   Additional locations in the state are being considered.
   “People expect a certain level of service from AAA, and the driving school works to meet that expectation,” Mr. Raposa said.

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AAA Begins Offering Registry Services in Massachusetts
By Kimberley Edgar

AAA member Jean Berke discovered how convenient it was to renew her driver’s license at AAA Newton.

   AAA members who need to renew their driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations will find greater convenience through a new partnership between AAA Southern New England and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
   Since late March, select Registry services have been available to members through a pilot program at AAA’s Newton and Worcester offices.
   In addition to finding free parking, members pay no premium to renew Massachusetts licenses and registrations – only the fees charged for renewals.
   AAA and the Registry will evaluate the program after six months. If all goes well, they will consider expanding the Registry services to other AAA branches in the state.
   “This is one of those days when this is a win, win, win,” said Massachusetts Registrar Rachel Kaprielian. “It’s a win for the Registry. It’s a win for our customers, and it’s a win for AAA’s members.”
   The Registry serves 4.5 million registered drivers in Massachusetts and sees 90,000 license renewals each month.
   Drivers must renew licenses every five years and take a new picture every decade and renew registrations every two years except in special cases.
   AAA has provided Rhode Island and Connecticut members similar Registry services for several years, and this innovative program is expected to ease the renewal process for the 2.2 million Massachusetts drivers who also are AAA members by expanding locations and hours for renewals.
   “When AAA members come here, it will take a reasonable number out of the Registry line – this also should help non-members,” said Mark Shaw, AAA President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our experience across the border in Rhode Island has produced happy members, shorter Registry lines and enhanced service to that state’s motorists.”
   AAA member Sheila Clawson was among the first to use the Registry services at AAA Newton.
   “This is a fabulous help – people are going to be thrilled,” she said. “What could be better than to come here? It’s in our neighborhood, there’s free parking – it’s great! It’s going to be convenient for a lot of people.”
   AAA Newton is located at 281 Needham St., and AAA Worcester is at 25 Mountain Street East. For details on the Registry Services offered at each branch, please call the office or visit AAA.com and click “Automotive.”

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Tasca’s Racing for the Funny Car Title
By Kimberley Edgar

National Hot Rod Association Racer Bob Tasca III celebrates his first Nitro Funny Car victory with his family and his team. Mr. Tasca is in his fourth year of the sport.

   He’s in the hunt for the championship in the National Hot Rod Association Nitro Funny Car competition this season.
   And if he maintains the pace he’s set in the first few races, he’ll easily make the cut when the real race for the title begins.
   A key victory to Bob Tasca III’s quest came when he captured the 40th annual NHRA Gatornationals Funny Car class March 15 in Gainesville, Fla., to jump to second in the point standings.
   “I’m speechless,” said Mr. Tasca, back in the driver’s seat of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Fort Shelby Mustang. “To bring the first win home for Ford this year in the NHRA Funny Car class is really special – it’s a dream come true.”
   AAA has joined Mr. Tasca on the racetrack for the fourth consecutive year as his sponsor.
   “I’m really excited to have AAA on the car again this year,” he said. “AAA has been close to my heart – they were my first sponsor in 2006. As I go around the country, I meet a lot of AAA members and employees.”
AAA was the first to the finish line to sponsor Mr. Tasca in his inaugural year of racing – then the Top Alcohol Funny Car competition – and has seen him off to the races every year since.
   Mr. Tasca’s Nitro Funny Car class rookie year had plenty of high points.
After assembling his sponsorship and race team in about two months at the close of 2007, he opened his first day of competition in Pomona, Calif., making his inaugural qualifying run as the first Nitro driver on the track.
   Despite his late launch into Nitro, he qualified for about 92 percent of the races, won rounds and sprinted to the semi-finals in 2008, topping speeds of 321 mph the whole way. His best finish came at the 2008 Summit Southern Nationals, in Atlanta, where he made the semi-finals only to lose to racing great John Force.
   After qualifying for 22 of 24 races last season, Mr. Tasca came full circle to Pomona, making his last trip down an NHRA drag strip as a rookie driver on Nov. 16.
   He fell in the first round, finishing 12th in the point standings out of a field of 24 cars. “I really give all the credit to my team and how they were able to start a program from scratch – it was a herculean effort,” Mr. Tasca said. “We didn’t make the Top 10 last year, but we really learned a lot. This year is a whole different tune, a whole different attitude.”
   After a couple of quick runs to open the season this February – third-quickest car in the first two races – he stood No. 6 in the points.
   Drivers finishing in the Top 10 after 18 races compete for the championship in the remaining six races of the season. Mr. Tasca’s goal is to make the Top 10 and then sprint to No. 1 after the points reset.
   “We’ve had great qualifying efforts, and it’s an exciting start to our second year,” he said.

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