E-Newsletter, Issue 6


I'm pleased to report that the development of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's 2004 research agenda is off to a great start! This September, the Foundation received a record 141 research pre-proposals for its 2004 research agenda, a remarkable 64% increase in submissions compared to last year! This year's pre-proposals on driver behavior, driver distraction, engineering, impaired driving, child safety, multi-cultural issues, senior drivers, and teen drivers have already been evaluated to identify the strongest ones that fit with our agenda. A subset of proposers has been asked to submit full proposals that will be further evaluated. In February, the Foundation's Research and Development Committee will select the 2004 slate of projects. I look forward to reporting the full slate of selected projects to you at that time. I am very pleased with the scope and quality of the submissions!

Very truly yours,

J. Peter Kissinger
President and CEO

Motorcycles and Helmets - Did You Know?

Safety versus personal freedom has always been a hot button when it comes to riding motorcycles and wearing helmets. According to a study recently released by NHTSA, motorcycle deaths increased by more than 50 percent in Kentucky and 100 percent in Louisiana after those states repealed their mandatory helmet laws. While donning a helmet may be a location dependent choice, use your head and choose to wear a helmet. Read more.



Research Projects

Truck Splash and Spray Report - Can anything be done to reduce the amount of spray trucks produce?

Driver-ZED for Teens Update is Underway - Technical update to "ZED" nears completion.
Foundation to Survey Police about Drowsy Driving

Other Foundation News

Distracted Driving Video & Radio PSA's Now Available - As part of a public awareness campaign on distracted driving, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety along with AAA National recently released two public service announcements. Originally developed by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the TV PSA was edited for a national audience and it was distributed to hundreds of networks and TV stations nationwide. The radio PSA was sent to stations in the top 100 markets. Listen to the radio PSA or watch the TV PSA.


Foundation Staff Changes…New blood but same dedication!

Distraction Brochure - To continue our public education efforts on distracted driving, we are currently developing a brochure that highlights the findings of the two Foundation distracted driving studies and provides consumers with recommendations for making their own driving safer. The brochure will be available before year's end. Until then, view our current distracted driving research.

An Online Reporting System for Traffic Safety - An intriguing twist to the distracted driving safety problem.

"Glare" Isn't Limited to Road Rage or Head Lights - Tips for dealing with glare on those bright, sunshiny days.

Taking a Serious Look at the Consequences of Drowsy Driving … "Maggie's Law" becomes reality in New Jersey.

International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence - December 4 - 6, 2003 in Washington, DC.

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