 In This Historic Election Year, Every Vote Matters |
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Clearly, transportation issues affect every one of the 46 million AAA members in the United States. In fact, the next transportation reauthorization cycle will present significant challenges as many believe the entire structure of funding transportation must be reviewed. New thinking regarding the approach to financing the nation’s surface transportation program will be necessary. As motorists, we pay a large share of the U.S. transportation bill, which is one reason why AAA on a national basis is working to ensure that its members’ voices are heard as decisions are made in Washington. Election year coverage also gives me the chance to advocate with our members to get out and vote. For those of you who are seeking voter information, I’ve found two very useful online resources. One is USA.gov, the U.S. Government’s official Web portal, produced by the Office of Citizen Services and Communications. The other is nass.org, produced by the National Association of Secretaries of State. Both offer information about polling places and hours, voter registration deadlines and the absentee ballot process on a state-by-state basis. Election 2008 is an historic time for all of us. It is expected that voter turnout will be higher than in any other election that has come before. No matter what your party affiliation, no matter where you stand on the issues, the most important thing you can do is add your voice to the mix by exercising your right to vote.  Back to Index |
We’re All Responsible For Protecting Roadside Emergency Workers |
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Now the time has come to look out for the safety of those who take risks every day and night to serve and protect us as we travel the region’s highways. I’m talking about our “first-responders” – the police, fire, rescue and roadside assistance providers who offer direct aid to motorists on southern New England’s roadways. As roads become more congested, and in many cases breakdown lanes are utilized to increase capacity, it is becoming increasingly dangerous for our first-responders. Speeding vehicles kill or injure as many as 100 police, emergency roadside assistance personnel and tow truck drivers every year. Sadly, AAA Southern New England has seen two of its tow truck drivers killed and two others injured in recent years. Vehicles traveling at highway speeds pose a deadly threat and often pass within inches of first-responders. The flashing lights of emergency vehicles and roadside activities can distract motorists and may even increase the danger to rescue workers. In an effort to address this concern, AAA has pursued “Slow Down, Move Over” laws in every state across America. This legislation simply requires motorists, when approaching a roadside emergency, to vacate the lane closest to the scene when practical, or if not, to significantly reduce their speed as they approach. At present, 43 states have “Slow Down, Move Over” statutes, including our nation’s most recently adopted law in Rhode Island. AAA is working to ensure this common-sense law will soon extend across our club’s footprint in southern New England. Writing tickets is not the objective. The goal is to communicate to motorists the importance of providing basic driving courtesy to roadside workers, a courtesy that is too often overlooked. “Slow Down, Move Over” reminds all of us of our obligation to drive safely and with respect for fellow motorists, pedestrians and roadside emergency workers alike. Back to Index |
Transporation Funding: The Debate Continues |
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Motorists will likely be asked to reach deeper into their wallets to pay for transportation going forward, so it is imperative that those who pay understand what is being proposed. On page one of this issue of AAA Horizons, the article “The Transportation Conundrum” outlines the significant issues surrounding our transportation network. AAA member publications across the country are running the article so that AAA’s more than 50 million members can better understand the upcoming debates. Among the issues facing our political leaders and the motoring public are: the upcoming reauthorization of the federal transportation spending law; private ownership of highways; congestion pricing, which makes it more expensive to drive on designated roadways during heavy traffic periods; and motorist taxes based on the number of miles you drive. The next President and Congress will look at these and other issues when the next highway bill comes up for debate in 2009. The future of the nation’s transportation system cannot be approached with the mindset that we can simply repeat, or reauthorize, what we have done in the past. AAA has called for a new vision and purpose for the federal transportation program before motorists are asked to pay more. Among the principles that will guide our advocacy are the belief that motorists must receive direct and recognizable improvements to their travel experience; transportation officials must demonstrate that they are managing resources wisely through transparent decisionmaking and efficient use of funds; and revenues generated through taxes, fees and other charges to motorists must be fair, equitable and dedicated solely to meeting identified transportation needs. Delivering on a new vision will ensure the continuance of what we all know as the American way of life. It is premised upon our ability to get to our destination at the time we want, via the route we prefer, on the transportation mode that best serves our needs. I urge you to become familiar with the various funding options that will be articulated in the coming months and to engage in this important national debate. Policymakers need our input and perspective as they make decisions affecting American motorists for years to come. Back to Index |
Conservation Key to Energy Debate |
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As other countries adopt our lifestyle of freedom and mobility, the demand for oil is increasing. China, for example, has a population four times that of the U.S. and today uses only 5 percent of the world’s transportation fuel. But with its burgeoning economy, it is expected to increase fuel consumption exponentially in the coming decades. Amid growing concerns about the security and availability of oil in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment, the United States is at an energy crossroads. As Congress continues to debate energy policy, topics such as fuel-economy standards, alternative and sustainable fuels and carbon emissions are routinely discussed. There are many policy options, but no easy answers. Oil consumption is centered squarely on the transportation sector, which represents more than two-thirds of total petroleum use and is projected to constitute more than 70 percent of the future increase in demand. The future energy landscape must include alternative energy sources, fuels and technologies that will help reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. The landscape calls for a paradigm shift that must be adopted by consumers, government agencies, auto manufacturers and the oil industry that catapults conservation back into the forefront as a real solution to our insatiable need for petroleum products. AAA believes that Americans must become educated and engaged in the energy debate. To this end, this issue of Horizons focuses on conservation as an integral part of the overall energy discussion, with a particular emphasis on what consumers can do to effectively manage their dependence on petroleum-based fuel. Your choice of vehicle, how it’s maintained and where and how you drive are very important factors in conserving fuel and staying safe behind the wheel. To conserve, motorists must slow down and find ways to do more with less. Taken individually, the oil-saving tips we offer may not amount to a whole lot. But when looked at collectively, they can mean hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars saved annually in a two-vehicle household. I urge you to stop by one of our branch offices for the 2008 edition of the AAA Gas Watcher’s Guide or Your Driving Costs publications – both good sources for AAA’s latest conservation tips. Alternatively, visit www.AAApublicaffairs.com for online versions of these valuable guides. Only through education and a singleness of purpose will we find reasonable and effective solutions to the global challenge we face. Back to Index |
Have a Worry-Free Summer Trip |
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As a matter of fact, more AAA Southern New England members than ever before came to our fifth annual Travel Marketplace at Gillette Stadium this past March. And while you were there, several thousand of you filled out a survey and told us that you still planned to vacation this year; however, you would look for ways to make your trip more economical or even choose a destination closer to home. There are four key ways that AAA can help you make your summer vacation dreams a reality. The first is to help you get the most for your money. A special pull-out section in the center of this month’s issue has dozens of Drive Vacation packages assembled by our Auto Travel Department. There are more than 30 options available. Some are right in our own backyard like getaways to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Others are within a day’s drive to picturesque spots like Niagara Falls or Williamsburg, Virginia. All of these packages have unique extras built right in, from complimentary breakfast and parking at Arlington Residence Court Hotel in Washington, D.C., to attraction tickets for a family of four at Sesame Place. A second way that AAA can help is to provide some ideas on how you can get your vehicle ready take a drive trip to the beach, the mountains or points beyond. In an article on page 29 in this issue, John Paul, AAA’s own Car Doctor, suggests some proactive steps that you can take to get your car ready for summer and help ensure worry-free car travel wherever you go. A third way AAA can help when it comes to summer driving is through AAA.com. There are many resources available to you on our Web site. AAA’s online Fuel Cost Calculator can calculate your mileage and tell you how much you can expect to spend on gas from Boston to Pennsylvania, Providence to New York City and all points beyond. This tool even takes into account the make, model and year of the vehicle you are driving to give you a good estimate of your costs. We’ve added more functionality to AAA.com’s TripTik Travel Planner too. This online routing tool can plot your drive vacation stop by stop, identifying points of interest, attractions, restaurants, and places to stay. Finally, our fourth opportunity to help you get the most out of the resources that AAA has available is to invite you to join us online on June 5 between noon and 2 p.m. when you can ask any specific questions you may have from our Car Doctor and auto travel experts. Just log on to AAA.com and let your summer drive vacation planning begin! Back to Index |
AAA's Commitment to Creating Safe New Drivers |
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In that year, there were almost 2,400 crashes in Rhode Island involving teenage drivers 15 to 17, killing five and injuring almost 1,000, with estimated costs to society of more than $90 million. Rhode Island has responded to those and similar statistics with one of the top five strongest Graduated Driving Licensing laws for new drivers in the country. AAA, law enforcement, and our legislators continue to look at ways to keep our young drivers safe. Education and parental involvement are key ingredients of a successful driver education program. In Rhode Island, we are combining years of experience with innovation to provide our members with a variety of tools to assist their new drivers in becoming lifelong safe drivers. The AAA Driving School has been in operation for 75 years, using experienced instructors and AAA’s strong knowledge of proper in-car driving instruction. In recent years, we have paid close attention to the role of parents in creating safe drivers, and it is a significant role. Our Dare to Prepare pre-permit classes bring 15-year-olds and their parents together long before the start of formal driver education, to get them ready for the process ahead and the role parents will play. Mindful of technology, our Teaching Your Teens to Drive and driverZed programs provide home-based education and advice that can be applied in real-world conditions out in the car. Information on our programs is available by contacting our Public Affairs department or at AAA.com. As a member of AAA’s national Board of Directors, I see firsthand the priority AAA Clubs across the country place on the safety of our new drivers. We look forward to continuing our driver training efforts and to using new research and techniques to do even better. We hope that those with new drivers will become our partners in safety. Back to Index |
Make Sure It's the Road You're Looking At |
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Almost anything can distract a driver, from something interesting on a billboard to the latest discussion about the Presidential campaign on talk radio. The AAA Foundation, in fact, has identified three different kinds of distraction, any one of which can affect your driving: • Physical distractions, like tuning the radio or trying to open your cup of coffee. • Mental distractions – things that weigh on your mind as well as conversations with other people, whether they are in the car with you or on the other end of a cell phone. • Combined distractions have elements of both. Have you ever tried to read a map while driving? Your hands are on the map and your brain is focused on reading it. And what about children? I think we can all agree that when we have our kids in the car, getting them – and ourselves – safely from place to place is always our number one goal. But children can also serve as major distractions and must be considered before you even click on the seat belt and start the engine. Researchers report that kids are four times more distracting than adults as passengers, and infants eight times more distracting. The time you spend in advance making sure your young passengers will be entertained and less of a distraction is time well spent. So what’s the answer? Experience shows us that with so many distractions in and out of the vehicle, any solution may be easier said than done. But a great first step is to recognize what distracting activity affects your driving (eating, talking to kids in the back seat, talking on the phone, yelling at radio) and making a conscious effort to avoid those activities. Next time you get behind the wheel, think about things that distract you. Do you try to get other things done as you drive? How many times have you driven someplace and realized that you have no memory of the trip? If you’re trying to multitask while you’re trying to drive, we can guarantee there’s at least one thing you’re not doing as well as you should. Back to Index |
Massachusetts Insurance Changes Mean It's a Good Time to be a Member of AAA |
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For the past several years, auto insurance rates in Massachusetts have been improving for consumers, coming down quite dramatically. For the owners of the four million insured vehicles in Massachusetts, the new regulations mean even further rate reductions. In fact, 75% of Massachusetts drivers will see a decrease between 8% and 15% when their insurance renewal bills come in the mail. But, the news is even better for more than two million AAA members in Massachusetts who, by virtue of the fact that they are members of AAA, are eligible for a discount and exclusive member benefits. While the state was getting ready for the new regulations, AAA and Commerce were too. Together, we created a compelling member package that is in keeping with AAA’s mission to judge everything we do by how well it meets our members’ needs. Some of the advantages that we built into this special auto insurance package will offer increased protections and additional savings for members. One of the most meaningful is full replacement coverage for your new car. If you’ve ever been in the unfortunate situation of totaling your new vehicle, you have an appreciation for the true value of this benefit. The AAA Program also provides coverages that will help you get access to a rental car after an accident while your car is being repaired and even help to replace laptops, cell phones and personal belongings should your car get stolen. These protections could save you hundreds of dollars and are provided at no additional cost to you. AAA offers insurance agency services in 35 branch office locations around the state and our agents at any one of them can make certain that you are connected to your benefits. Not only that, but there are more than 500 independent agents in Massachusetts who represent the AAA-Commerce program and can ensure you are getting the benefits to which you are entitled. In this issue there is a pullout section that has a full listing of independent agents that offer the AAA-Commerce program. Our listing is based on location so you can find the individual or firm most convenient for you. My advice to all AAA members is to talk to your local agent and take advantage of the services they offer. Take your time. Know the facts that are specific to the vehicles you drive. But above all, be certain to get the AAA benefits and discounts to which you are entitled. Put your membership to work for you. Back to Index |
Child Safety Seats Save Lives; More Efforts Are Needed |
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Widespread use of child safety seats is an ongoing success story shared by the medical community, insurance companies, consumer groups and safety advocates including AAA. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a child seat used correctly reduces the probability of an infant (under 1 year old) being killed in a crash by 71 percent and toddlers (1 to 4 years old) by 54 percent. Over the last 20 years, NHTSA estimates that nearly 7,000 lives have been saved as a result of the proper use of child passenger restraints. Lives saved and happy endings are certainly the best inducements for further action in this important area. Although great work has been done across the country to ensure that every state now requires the use of child safety seats for infants and young children, there is more effort needed to extend this safety net to children ages 4 through 7 by enacting meaningful booster seat laws. Already, 38 states, including Rhode Island, have passed laws mandating the use of booster seats. AAA is co-sponsoring a bill with Senator Steven Baddour (D-Methuen) that would make Massachusetts the 39th state in the country to pass this life-saving legislation. Understanding that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 and older, advocates of child passenger safety are also looking beyond state legislatures and specifically to education as a means of enhancing child safety. AAA recently commissioned research to determine the child safety awareness of parents with children under the age of 8. The study reveals that although more than 90 percent of parents believed they knew state requirements, only 39 percent could accurately identify the age at which their state allows children to use only a lap and shoulder belt. Nearly half believe the age requirement is higher than it actually is. Nine in 10 parents surveyed believe child restraint laws save lives and the majority support uniform laws. AAA’s “Seated, Safe and Secure” campaign launched in 2002 has done a lot to raise awareness of child passenger safety and strengthen occupant protection laws for everyone under age 18. But more work is needed to promote child passenger safety at all levels – from training additional safety seat technicians, to insuring parents are fully aware of state laws and to lobbying for consistent safety standards across the country. You can do your part as well – by making certain that your child is properly restrained each and every time you leave your driveway. For more information, visit AAA.com or stop by one of our convenient offices for the latest child passenger seat requirements. Each additional young life saved will make these efforts all worthwhile. Back to Index |