| By :
Nick Messe
On March 4, 1902 in Chicago, nine regional auto clubs with a total membership of 1,500 gathered to establish the American Automobile Association. It was for the primary purpose of creating and promoting safe roads. Today, they are a not-for-profit organization of 50 independently operated motor clubs with over 1,100 offices throughout the United States and Canada. They provide 52 million members with travel, automotive, insurance and financial services as well as discounts. They are headquartered in Heathrow, Florida. In 1905, AAA began publishing road maps and hotel guides and in 1920 they went on to create the School Safety Patrol Program. In 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety was established to conduct studies motorist safety. AAA is at the forefront of many of today's driver safety programs. Up until the 1955 LeMans racing disaster, AAA sanctioned auto racing, including the Indianapolis 500. Because the accident distracted AAA from its primary mission, they handed over these duties to the newly formed United States Automobile Club. AAA is responsible for the establishment of high school driver education classes in 1935 and the curriculum being used to be known as "Responsible Driving". They continually update driver education courses and many regional clubs have established their own driving schools. In 1936, a pedestrian safety organization was formed with a grant from the Automotive Safety Foundation with the express purpose of reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities. In the following year, they would acknowledge the cities and states that exhibited the most successful pedestrian safety programs. Research continues to be conducted by their Foundation for Traffic Safety. In the early 1940's, AAA provided detailed highway information, maps and resources to the Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense. It had previously done this during World War I to assist planning efforts. They made recommendations to motorists on how to conserve tire rubber anticipating a shortage during wartime and reducing speed to conserve fuel. They were also actively involved in promoting synthetic rubber, carpooling, gas rationing and driver training programs in their effort to support the country during WWII. After the war, the AAA launched a new automobile safety program which was successful in reducing traffic fatalities over 20 percent from numbers before WWII. The 1980's was the beginning of the high tech period. Scenic highways were included in their maps and the first in-car navigation system was proposed. Their North American Road Atlas made the New York Times bestseller list for paperbacks. Their presence online began by providing online touring information. This service later became known as the AAA Travel Match. Today, they continue to provide emergency road service for their millions of members in addition to its detailed map and travel services. The many programs they have initiated over the last century continue to provide the country with crucial highway and public safety services.
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