AAA MID-ATLANTIC

The not-for-profit AAA Mid-Atlantic, among the largest of the Clubs in the AAA National Federation, serves nearly four million members in a territory stretching from Northwest New Jersey to Richmond, Va. The gerneis 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 evolved into the Automobile Club of Philadelphia on November 1, 1900.
Throughout its incarnations, the Club's primary purpose has been to protect motorist's interest, mobility and safety.



Headquarters are located in Wilmington, Delaware.

Contents

Territory

History

Advocacy, Public Service

The Bill of Rights for Transportation Funding

Services

AAA Mid-Atlantic Initiatives Timeline

Criticism

External Links

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; and,

''Washington D.C.'' entire District.

History

AAA Mid-Atlantic began in 1900 as 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 public interest.



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, and
outcomes that are supported by research and assured through application of performance
standards.

4. Transportation taxes, fees and other revenue collected from motorists must be equitable and
transparent. Transportation agencies must demonstrate to the public that transportation
resources 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 be
dedicated solely to meeting identified transportation needs and protected from diversion to
other uses.

7. Funding alternatives to supplement or eventually replace motor vehicle fuel taxes must be
carefully 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 and
compensate 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.

Services

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

★ Official AAA Mid-Atlantic Web site

★ Official AAA Mid-Atlantic magazine

★ AAA Mid-Atlantic Legislative Action Center