AAA Urges Bipartisan Negotiations for Transportation Bill
May 8th, 2012 by admin
(WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012) Statement by AAA President & CEO Bob Darbelnet
“AAA urges Congress to move quickly through conference negotiations and pass a surface transportation reauthorization bill. New legislation is now more than two years overdue and states have delayed many necessary highway and infrastructure projects as a result. This bill is one of the most important laws that Congress can pass because it provides for safe, reliable and effective transportation for all Americans.
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“Transportation has historically been a bipartisan issue, and we are encouraged that both chambers of Congress are coming together today to begin the process of negotiating a compromise bill. The House and Senate agree more than they disagree on transportation policy issues, and it is important to work together in a spirit of cooperation to resolve the few differences that remain.”
AAA Encourages Making a plan for Cinco de Mayo
May 4th, 2012 by admin
ORLANDO, Fla., (May 4, 2012) – As everyone searches for their biggest sombrero and makes plans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, AAA strongly encourages to arrange a safe ride home before they partake in any festivities.
AAA works year round to educate motorists about driving practices that will help keep them safe and reduce traffic-related crashes and the injuries that can result. PreventDUI.AAA.com is an online resource offering impaired driving facts, transportation alternatives and expert advice. Once there, AAA encourages visitors to Take the Pledge to drive drug and alcohol-free.
While not a nationwide program, a number of AAA clubs offer Tow-to-Go or Tipsy Tow service on select dates for members and nonmembers. This service is not available everywhere. AAA strongly encourages family and friends to pick a designated driver before they head out on Cinco de Mayo.
*Please note availability is subject to change without notice
The following AAA Clubs offer Tipsy Tow/ Tow to Go programs for Cinco de Mayo:
- The Auto Club Group (Statewide in Florida and Georgia and in West and Middle Tennessee. Program is called “Tow-to-Go”)
- AAA Arizona (statewide)
- AAA Northern California (in all club territories)
- AAA New Jersey Automobile Club (Morris, Essex and Union counties)
- AAA Northwest Ohio ( available in Lucas, Fulton, Wood, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Paulding and Ottawa counties)
Taxi Ride Programs:
- AAA Mid-Atlantic is a key part of the “Tipsy Taxi” program in the Baltimore area only. This program offers cab rides home to members and non-members.
For a comprehensive list of other community programs listed state by state, please visit AAA’s DUI Justice Link website.
AAA Urges Immediate End to Discriminatory Tolling Practice by E-ZPass
April 18th, 2012 by admin
Out-of-State Drivers Should Not Be Singled Out for Higher Toll Charges Than In-State Residents
WASHINGTON (April 18, 2012)– Calling for the end to the discriminatory business practice of charging higher toll rates to drivers that make out-of-state toll tag purchases, AAA’s President and CEO Robert Darbelnet yesterday sent a letter opposing the inequitable fees to the E-ZPass Interagency Group (IAG). This letter will be unveiled today by AAA director of federal relations, Chris Plaushin, during a U.S. Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing examining accountability and oversight in tolling.
“We believe this practice is not only unfair and could serve as an impediment to interstate travel and commerce, but also flies in the face of the underlying promise of E-ZPass, which you [IAG] state is ‘to provide the public with a seamless, accurate, interoperable electronic method of paying tolls and fees,’” wrote Darbelnet.
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Darbelnet urged the IAG to put an immediate end to the unequal and unfair treatment among E-ZPass tag holders. “There is no reason for one authority to charge some E-ZPass holders a higher toll, except, unfortunately in our estimation, to take advantage of drivers who may be from out-of-state,” continued Darbelnet. “The fact is, the cost of providing the transportation service and collecting the toll are identical for a vehicle with an E-ZPass tag issued by the home authority and a vehicle with a tag from an away authority.”
AAA clubs represent over 19 million members in the 14 states that make up the E-ZPass network. The E-ZPass IAG is an association of 24 toll agencies that operate the E-ZPass electronic toll collection program, with more than 22 million E-ZPass devices in circulation.
AAA’s full letter can be viewed here.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
President Obama Talks Gas Prices in One-on-One with AAA
March 23rd, 2012 by admin
Washington, D.C., (March 23, 2012) – With prices climbing more than 60 cents a gallon since January 1, President Barack Obama discussed energy and rising gas prices—a top-of-mind issue for motorists across the country including AAA’s more than 53 million members—in a meeting with AAA yesterday.
Following his speech on energy issues in Cushing, Oklahoma, the President spoke to a representative of the nation’s largest auto club that serves one-in-four American households.
As an advocate of motorists nationwide, AAA asked the President questions likely to be foremost in the minds of drivers feeling the pain at the pump.
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When asked by AAA to comment on the frustration and confusion that U.S motorists are experiencing with rising gas prices, the President said, “I understand what folks are going through because it wasn’t that long ago that I was having to fill up my gas tank and drive to work, shuttle the kids back and forth to school or events. It takes a big bite out of folks’ paychecks.” The President went on to say that the U.S. has experienced cyclical gas prices for decades and stressed the importance of America having more control over its own energy security.
AAA also inquired about the role of the President in addressing prices at the pump given the global forces and political tensions abroad that drive the oil and energy markets. The President elaborated on points from his earlier speech, saying, “The most important thing I can do as the President is not to simply focus on tomorrow. It’s focusing on getting America properly aimed toward our goal of continuing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” The President also highlighted the importance of maintaining growth and productivity while further reducing U.S. oil consumption. Mr. Obama noted that pressure on oil prices in the coming two decades will be difficult to reverse.
Even as a 110-year old organization whose origins date to the earliest days of the motor vehicle, AAA continues to explore new vehicle technologies to offer enhanced and improved services to members. Responding to member interest, AAA began testing a roadside service vehicle capable of providing charging assistance to electric vehicles.
As to public acceptance of new technologies, the President said, “People need to feel confident that when they get into an electric car they’re not going to get stuck. To the extent that we start having both more efficient batteries and distribution capacity, people can feel confident that they’re never going to get stuck, or at least not any more stuck than they do when they forget to fill up and then call AAA.”
The President also shared insight about the role of alternative-fuel vehicles as a possible solution to current high fuel costs. Mr. Obama noted that fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks have doubled, which will result in fewer trips to the gas station and a savings for the average family of about $8,000 over the life of the car. As to the future, Mr. Obama is optimistic. “If we unleash American creativity, if we properly incentivize people to think about fuel economy as part of overall design, Americans can make great cars.”
While Mr. Obama is no longer able to do his own driving, AAA couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask President Obama about his first car. Noting he had been a AAA member for years , he said, “I have to confess, my first car was my grandfather’s car, which was a Ford Granada. It rattled and it shook, and I don’t think the girls were particularly impressed when I came to pick them up in a Ford Granada. But you know what? It moved, and so I have fond memories of the fact that it got me to where I needed to go.”
AAA is a non-partisan organization providing unbiased reporting of gas prices through its popular weekly Fuel Gauge Report, and supports the national dialogue on gas prices by offering objective and accurate perspective to the media and motorists year-round.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
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AAA Executive Vice President Mark Brown to Testify Before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on March 27
March 22nd, 2012 by admin
AAA Executive to discuss the potential impact of rising gas prices on American travelers
ORLANDO, Fla., (March 23, 2012) – AAA Executive Vice President, Association and Club Services, Mark Brown will testify on March 27 before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the impact of rising gas prices on consumer travel plans. A copy of Mark Brown’s full written testimony will be posted on AAA NewsRoom at www.NewsRoom.AAA.com on March 27.
AAA Encourages Making a plan for St. Patrick’s Day
March 16th, 2012 by admin
ORLANDO, Fla., (March 16, 2012) – As everyone searches for their best green shirt and makes plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, AAA strongly encourages arranging a safe ride home before they partake in any festivities.
AAA works year round to educate motorists about driving practices that will help keep them safe and reduce traffic-related crashes and the injuries that can result. PreventDUI.AAA.com is an online resource offering impaired driving facts, transportation alternatives and expert advice. Once there, AAA encourages visitors to Take the Pledge to drive drug and alcohol-free.
While not a nationwide program, a number of AAA clubs offer Tow-to-Go or Tipsy Tow service on select dates for members and nonmembers. This service is not available everywhere. AAA strongly encourages family and friends to pick a designated driver before they head out on St. Patrick’s Day.
*Please note availability is subject to change without notice
The following AAA Clubs offer Tipsy Tow/ Tow to Go programs for St. Patrick’s Day:
- AAA Auto Club Group (Statewide in Florida, Georgia, West and Middle Tennessee. Program is called “Tow-to-Go”)
- AAA Oklahoma ( Metro Tulsa, Metro Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Bartlesville, Enid, Muskogee, Ardmore and Lawton )
- AAA Arizona ( Statewide)
- AAA Northern California
- AAA Nevada ( Statewide)
- AAA Utah (Statewide)
- AAA South Dakota (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Mitchell and Yankton)
- AAA Northwest Ohio ( available in the Lucas, Fulton, Wood, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Paulding, & Ottawa counties)
- AAA New Jersey Automobile Club (Morris, Essex and Union counties)
Taxi Ride Programs:
- AAA Mid-Atlantic is a key part of the “Tipsy Taxi” program in the Baltimore area only. This program offers cab rides home to members and non-members who have had too much to drink.
- AAA Allied Group in Ohio has a program called “ArriveSafe”. It provides cab rides for Montgomery County residents only
For a comprehensive list of other community programs listed state by state, please visit AAA’s DUI Justice Link Website.
AAA Commends Senate Transportation Bill Passage
March 14th, 2012 by admin
Bill is Step in the Right Direction for Safety of Nation’s Motorists
“AAA applauds Senate passage today of a two-year transportation authorization bill. We appreciate the bipartisan collaboration that has led to legislation that incorporates many of the reforms, performance and accountability provisions that AAA and many in the transportation community have been calling for in recent years. The public wants and needs safe and reliable mobility. Few bills directly impact the entire fabric of the nation as does the transportation bill. The pressure is now squarely on the House of Representatives to promptly address this critical legislation.”
AAA Responds to New GHSA Report on Speeding and Aggressive Driving
March 8th, 2012 by admin
Speeding remains a significant safety threat on U.S. roadways
(WASHINGTON, March 8, 2012) Speeding remains a significant safety threat on U.S. roadways—contributing to nearly one-third of all traffic deaths each year – and while motorists frequently list aggressive driving as a top safety concern, many still admit to driving well over posted speed limits. Speeding has been commonplace on our roadways for decades and is deeply ingrained in our driving culture, despite resulting in thousands of needless deaths every year.
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AAA hopes today’s report from the Governors Highway Safety Association will prompt state and federal policymakers to devote more attention to these challenges. To address speeding, AAA supports high visibility enforcement campaigns and targeted enforcement in school zones and other critical safety locations. AAA also supports aggressive driving statutes that carry significant penalties for drivers who endanger themselves, other motorists, pedestrians, and other road users. AAA urges policymakers and government officials to focus needed resources on addressing this dangerous behavior. And we, as motorists, need to remember that it’s more important to get somewhere safely than to get there a minute or two sooner.
AAA Comments on NHTSA Rear View Camera Ruling
February 28th, 2012 by admin
A Cautious Step in the Right Direction for Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
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(WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2012) AAA considers NHTSA’s regulation requiring automakers to put rear view cameras in all passenger vehicles by 2014 as a step in the right direction to help prevent needless injury and death among our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. Although such technology can be a useful tool in detecting people and objects behind the vehicle, this technology is limited in its ability to identify objects approaching the path of the backing vehicle. Therefore, AAA warns motorists who have vehicles equipped with this technology to use it to supplement—not replace—traditional efforts to turn and check blind spots (both rear and lateral) while backing up.
Statement by AAA President & CEO Bob Darbelnet on President Obama’s 2013 Budget
February 14th, 2012 by admin
Statement by AAA President & CEO Bob Darbelnet on President Obama’s 2013 Budget
(WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2012) “AAA applauds President Obama’s continued emphasis on increasing investment in the nation’s transportation system. The President’s support for greater investment comes at a key time, when both the U.S. House and Senate are debating the future of the national transportation program. We support efforts in both the House and Senate to make progress on passing a multi-year surface transportation bill. A strong federal transportation program, that supports key national priorities, enhances personal mobility, facilitates more efficient goods movement, and improves traffic safety, can help make American stronger in these challenging economic times. We applaud making transportation a key national priority and invite Congress to ensure that the nation’s continued mobility is appropriately funded.”
