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| Pet Photo Contest |
Is your furry friend a constant companion on your travels? “The AAA PetBook” is looking for its next top models. Enter a photo of your vacationing animal in the AAA PetBook Photo Contest, and he or she could be one of two winning entries to grace the cover of the 2010 edition.
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Is your furry friend a constant companion on your travels? “The AAA PetBook” is looking for its next top models. Enter a photo of your vacationing animal in the AAA PetBook Photo Contest, and he or she could be one of two winning entries to grace the cover of the 2010 edition.
The “Best in Travel” winner will receive $350, five copies of the book, and a $150 Best Western Travel Card that can be used at any Best Western property worldwide — including more than 1,900 pet-friendly lodgings. The second-place winner will receive $200 and two copies of the book.
Photos and completed forms must be submitted by Nov. 30. Contest rules, entry forms and photos from previous years can be viewed online at AAA.com/PetBook. 
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Follow AAA On Your Fave Sites
By Megan Gorzkowski
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 Facebook.
MySpace.
Twitter.
You use tools like these every day to stay in touch with friends and family, but did you know you can keep up-to-date with the latest AAA news using these Web sites and more?
Here are some ways you can stay connected with AAA no matter where you are.
Twitter
In our fast-paced world, it’s often easiest to get brief news updates throughout the day rather than all at once.
With AAA’s Twitter updates, you can learn about the latest bargains, travel news and traffic-safety initiatives in short, 140-character “tweets.”
There are four AAA Twitter feeds: “AAAauto,” “AAAdiscounts,” “AAAnews” and “AAA_Travel.”
Visit www.Twitter.com to follow these feeds.
Facebook and MySpace
If you use Facebook and/or MySpace, you are in luck; AAA has pages on both social-networking sites.
They feature the latest AAA news and discounts, along with exclusive photos and videos. Members can share their AAA experiences, whether it’s a Show Your Card & Save story or a road service review.
Become a Facebook “fan” or a MySpace “friend” of AAA to join in.
iPhone app
Imagine an iPhone application that combines two great AAA member features into one amazing, convenient tool.
It’s no wonder AAA Discounts is Apple’s most-downloaded “Lifestyles” free app, with more than half a million downloads as of press time.
AAA Discounts highlights AAA savings partners along your travel route, including everything from dining to lodging to entertainment.
The bonus Roadside Assistance feature sends your GPS location when you use your iPhone to call AAA for road service, letting AAA know exactly where you are if you need help.
The AAA Discounts app also works on the iPod Touch, provided Wi-Fi Internet access is available.
Visit AAA.com/mobile for more information and instructions on downloading this free tool.
YouTube
On AAA’s YouTube channel, you can watch fun video clips on everything from traffic safety to travel discounts.
Get behind-the-scenes looks at new theme-park attractions like SeaWorld’s Manta Coaster or Universal Studios’ Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Watch webisodes of the AAA original series “TripPlay.”
Visit www.YouTube.com/AAA.
AAATravelViews.com
Want the inside scoop from AAA travel experts? Then check out the AAA TravelViews blog.
Find out where AAA travel professionals go for the best eats, sights and shopping. You can even submit your own travel questions to be answered in a future posting. AAA TravelViews includes polls, member discounts and more.
Visit www.AAATravelViews.com.
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AAA Expands Driving School
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The AAA Driver Training School is expanding its presence in Southeastern Massachusetts, with the acquisition of the Bristol County Driving School in Fall River.
“Both AAA and the Bristol County Driving School have long histories of serving the Fall River area,” said David J. Raposa, AAA Director of Public Affairs. “We plan on providing that same high level of service as we expand our teen driving program.”
AAA Driver Training School offers 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training, six hours of student observation, and the mandatory two-hour course for parents. The school opened over a year ago at AAA South Attleboro, and has grown to offer lessons at Bishop Stang High School and through the AAA Old Colony Driving School.
The new school will be run as the AAA Bristol County Driving School. It will also provide driver’s ed at Case High School and Bishop Connelly High School. For details, call (508) 675-2726.
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‘Making Things Better for Motorists’
Budd Elected Vice Chairman of National AAA Board
By Christine E. McDermott
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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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