Recent events in Massachusetts have drawn attention to the issue of senior driving. Similar to our work with teen drivers, AAA has several resources available to help older drivers drive safely.

The AAA Driver Improvement Program - Safe Driving for Mature Operators - is a classroom, defensive driving course that serves as a refresher for anyone who has been driving for any amount of time. The six-hour program, presented over two days, addresses the special challenges faced by drivers age 55 and older, and provides practical suggestions on ways to compensate for changes caused by the aging process.

Cost is $15. For information and to register, call 1-888-222-1375 or email jlafortune@aaasne.com.

Calling all local boy and girl scouts! More than 100 scouts from Rhode Island and Massachusetts earned merit badge credit as they watched RI State Police demonstrate the impact of a rollover crash. Police dramatized the hazards of a rollover situation using their unique “rollover simulator,” as scouts, their parents, and scout leaders looked on. The event took place September 17 at AAA Headquarters in Providence.

AAA, The RI Office of Highway Safety, and law enforcement officials used the simulator to demonstrate the importance of occupant protection using seat belts, booster seats, and child passenger safety seats.

Hundreds of New England youngsters know a lot more about bike safety—thanks to the AAA Bike Rodeo, which drew more than 1,500 young riders and their families to Gillette Stadium from July 30 to August 11. The interactive bicycle safety experience was a popular attraction during the New England Patriot’s Training Camp. The Bike Rodeo was part of the Patriot’s Experience Fan Zone.

The Bike Rodeo featured a 200-foot bike handling course, lessons on safety skills and proper bike helmet fitting, as well as a host of activities for children and young teens.

Police, firefighters, towers, and all roadside emergency assistance professionals will be safer on the job thanks to new legislation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. “Slow Down, Move Over” requires motorists approaching an emergency situation in the breakdown lane to move to the next adjacent lane if possible, and, barring that, to reduce their speed. Every year, first responders across the country are killed and injured on the job while providing emergency help. In Massachusetts, several police officers have been injured in the last six months alone. Rhode Island's law was enacted in August 2008. The Bay State law took effect March 22, 2009, and Connecticut recently passed a law that takes effect this fall. Learn more about the new law.

If you’re creative and care about traffic safety, the annual AAA poster contest has your name on it! The 2010 AAA Traffic Safety Poster Program is celebrating its 66th year, and through the decades, it has mobilized youngsters and teens to spread the traffic safety message through posters designed by kids, for kids.

Students in grades K-12 are eligible to compete. Students in the primary (K-2) and elementary (3-5), and junior high (6-8) grades are welcome to enter hand-drawn posters. Topics include: Pedestrian and Child Passenger Safety, Getting to School Safely, and How to Be a Good Passenger.

View Contest Details and Lesson Plans

High school students have the option of presenting a poster, a digitally enhanced submission,or an audio/visual public service announcement (PSA). The message should caution teens to avoid the many dangers facing teen drivers today.

Print out the Entry Form and contest rules. The contest deadline is January 16th, 2010: that’s when all submissions are due to AAA Southern New England, with judging scheduled for February 5th. AAA SNE will distribute materials to schools. For more information or lesson plans, please contact Diana Imondi Dias at ddias@aaasne.com or call (401) 868-2000 extension 2126.
Teachers or students in CT schools can either download the application or email fmayko@aaasne.com. Connecticut entries should be forwarded to Fran Mayko, 2276 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518 by 5 p.m., February 19, 2010. Judging held thereafter.

Let’s ban the dangerous practice of texting while driving in Massachusetts! AAA Southern New England is supporting a ban on text messaging while driving for all Bay State motorists. In June, our government affairs advocate testified before the MA Joint Committee on Transportation in support of House Bill 3237, which focuses on teen drivers. It bans the use of handheld and hands-free cell phones while driving for junior operators.

Legislators are considering more than a dozen different bills restricting cell phone use and text messaging while driving. Driver inattention is a key factor in the majority of crashes, and Public safety advocates argue that text messaging and cell phone use while driving pose major distractions.