AAA Mid-Atlantic

AAA Mid-Atlantic is among the largest of the clubs in the American Automobile Association (AAA) National Federation. It serves nearly four million members in a territory stretching from northwest New Jersey to Richmond, Virginia. Headquarters are located in Wilmington, Delaware. Like the national federation, AAA Mid-Atlantic is a not-for-profit organization. The club's primary purpose has always been to protect motorist's interest, mobility and safety.

Territory

AAA Mid-Atlantic members reside in the following states, counties and regions:"'
* Delaware - entire state
* Pennsylvania - Columbia, Delaware, Luzerne, Montour, Philadelphia, portions of Bucks, Chester, Carbon, Montgomery and Schuylkill counties
* Maryland - entire state
* New Jersey - Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.
* Virginia - Northern, Shenandoah Valley, Central and Southern regions
* Washington D.C. - entire District

History

The genesis of what is today AAA Mid-Atlantic began on April 20, 1900, at the Hotel Flanders in Philadelphia. Seven people attended the first meeting, which on November 1, 1900 evolved into the Automobile Club of Philadelphia serving 50 members, who each paid a $6 annual fee. In the years that followed, the Club grew through partnerships, absorbing smaller clubs to better serve members and the interest of motorists.

These partnerships, followed by the year in which they occurred, are:

Keystone Automobile Club, 1965
The Shore Motor Club (Cape May and Atlantic counties NJ), 1981
The Delaware Motor Club, 1987
The Automobile Club of Maryland, 1990
AAA Virginia, 1993
AAA Anthracite (northeast Pa.), 1995
Valley Automobile Club, 1997
AAA Potomac, 1997
AAA Central-West Jersey, 2001

Advocacy, Public Service

AAA Mid-Atlantic lobbying draws attention to traffic safety, transportation funding, motorist distraction and other issues, including legislation that will:

Raise the quality of travel
Promote better driving and safer cars
Build awareness of safety
Protect consumers
Make roads safer
Ensure fair traffic enforcement
Make transportation funding transparent
Call for equitable distribution of tolls
Limit distractions to drivers
Educate the youngest drivers among us (GDL)
Ensure mobility for senior drivers

The Bill of Rights for Transportation Funding

BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE NATION’S MOTORISTS ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

1. The United States requires a new vision for transportation that addresses 21st century needs, ensures broad access, adequate funding, and equitably allocates benefits and payments among users.
2. A new transportation vision must ensure that the system significantly enhances safety, mobility, and reliability to provide an appropriate return on investment to motorists who will continue to pay most of the costs.
3. Transportation improvements should be based upon needs that are clearly identified, andoutcomes that are supported by research and assured through application of performancestandards.
4. Transportation taxes, fees and other revenue collected from motorists must be equitable andtransparent. Transportation agencies must demonstrate to the public that transportationresources are managed wisely and efficiently.
5. Motorists must receive direct and recognizable improvements to their travel experience if they are asked to pay more.
6. Revenues generated from taxes, fees and other pricing mechanisms paid by motorists must bededicated solely to meeting identified transportation needs and protected from diversion toother uses.
7. Funding alternatives to supplement or eventually replace motor vehicle fuel taxes must becarefully evaluated as to their ability to be efficiently implemented, accepted by the public,allocated fairly, fully dedicated to transportation needs, and be resistant to fraud and evasion.
8. Public-private partnerships to increase transportation investments must be carefully managed to ensure that motorist fees are fair and equitable, that motorist fees are not diverted to nontransportation purposes, and that the facility is consistently maintained and improved.
9. Publicly-owned transportation facilities should only be sold or leased to private interests if agreements require the maintenance of high levels of service and remain under public oversight.
Revenues resulting from the sale or lease must be used only for transportation purposes andcompensate the public for the value of the facility.
10. Transportation fees, taxes, and other revenue collected from motorists should fairly represent their use of the system, and all transportation system users should bear a proportionate share of financing the system.

ervices

Like all AAA clubs, AAA Mid-Atlantic is well known for emergency roadside assistance and travel planning.

The Club also offers - to both members and non-members - home and auto insurance, financial services such as home loans and credit, as well as automotive guidance, including AAA's Approved Auto Repair ratings and driving improvement programs, auto buying guides and service advice.

AAA Mid-Atlantic Initiatives Timeline

1900s AAA helps develops the first federal highways and "Good Roads Bill," and publishes the first road maps for automobile travelers
1910s AAA Clubs of Philadelphia and Delaware County battle against speed traps, unjust taxes and excessive tolls. The first AAA "Road Patrol" is initiated.
1920s AAA starts the School Safety Patrol for children and leads a campaign for posting route signs on U.S. highways.
1930s The first formal driving training program and study materials are developmed by AAA, and the first AAA driving school opens in Pennsylvania. AAA drafts model environmental act for highway beautification.
1940s The "School's Open, Drive Carefully" campaign is introduced to promote alert driving in school zones.
1950s AAA plays a major role in passage of legislation that establishes the Federal Highway Trust Fund and paves the way for building the U.S. Interstate Highway System.
1960s AAA pushes for installation and use of seat belts in cars, and begins alcohol and drug education programs to reduce DUI.
1970s Programs and educational materials are created to encourage gasoline and energy conservation.
1980s Child passenger safety initiative begins, encouraging use of car seats. National Car Care Month is initiated to promote proper car maintenance and help reduce air pollution.
1990s AAA launches campaigns to reduce agreesive driving and boost investment in highway and bridge repair.
2000s AAA efforts continue to protect consumers, work for fair insurance laws and relieve traffic congestion.

Criticism

Needs article.

External links

* [http://www.aaamidatlantic.com Official AAA Mid-Atlantic Web site]
* [http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/aaaworld Official AAA Mid-Atlantic magazine]
* [http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/safety/capwiz.asp AAA Mid-Atlantic Legislative Action Center]