I'm glad to welcome you back after a hopefully pleasant and relaxing holiday break. The AAA Foundation is kicking off 2006 at full speed ahead!

First things first, we just re-released an updated version of Driver-ZED, our interactive risk-management DVD for teens. We not only expanded the content of the original version to include driving in work zones, but we also doubled the number of safety tips, and added information to aid parents in their involvement in the driving safety of their teens driving safety. As part of the process we also revamped the Driver-ZED website; feel free to surf over to www.driverzed.org and check it out.

We have a record number of active projects currently underway, many of which are set to wrap up in 2006. As always, summaries of our projects (both active and completed) can be obtained on our website and are highlighted throughout this newsletter. 

And, last, but certainly not least, I'm pleased to announce that we received 180 pre-proposals for funding in 2006.  Major pre-proposal topics include: driver behavior, child passenger safety, driver distraction, impaired driving, road safety, senior drivers, teen drivers, and others. Next month, our Research and Development Advisory Committee will meet to determine our new slate of research projects, and I look forward to sharing them with you in the next e-newsletter.

Many thanks for your support and interest in our endeavors. I can't begin to emphasize just how important collaboration and partnerships are in furthering our traffic safety mission. As such, if you see an opportunity to leverage any of our research or to enhance the dissemination of research findings or products while reviewing this newsletter, please let us know.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy New Year!

Very truly yours,

J. Peter Kissinger
President & CEO