AAA Colorado Press Releases

AAA Colorado Travel Experts Offer Cruise Safety Tips

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:53 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado Travel Experts Offer Cruise Safety Tips

Cruising remains an attractive vacation option for millions of Americans.

Denver, February 2 – AAA Colorado cruise experts say cruising remains a popular choice for American vacationers. More than 16 million cruise passengers sailed the world's waterways last year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and a passenger total in excess of 17 million is forecast for 2012.

While most cruise passengers remain loyal to cruising, the Costa Concordia tragedy has sparked debate about cruise safety in some industry and public sectors.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), an agency of the United Nations, mandates global regulations for the safety and operation of cruise ships. The most important of these is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which includes comprehensive information on safety equipment and procedures. To help ensure the safety and security of cruise line passengers, AAA recommends all cruise lines meet the industry standards included in the SOLAS treaty.

"There is value in having reasoned dialogue to examine whether current maritime laws governing the cruise industry are sufficient or should be modified," said Sandra Barnes, Director of Travel Services "Meanwhile, cruising remains an attractive vacation option for millions of North Americans each year."

Please change the following line to read four important safety tips:

All cruise passengers, even seasoned cruisers, should actively participate in and pay full attention during the ship's muster drills as evacuation procedures vary by cruise line. Currently, ships are required to hold safety drills within 24 hours of boarding new passengers. If the ship's emergency muster drill is not scheduled prior to departure from the embarkation port, take personal responsibility for safety by locating life vests and identifying assigned muster stations.

Register all international travel with the U.S. Department of State's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travelregistration.state.gov. This will enable the State Department to provide better assistance in an emergency.

Book all cruise vacations through a trusted travel counselor. In the event of a travel emergency, the travel counselor can be a trusted ally providing critical, timely and valuable assistance.

Don't let common sense take a vacation. Avoid participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting strangers to your cabin, and report any concerns to ship security. Personal safety is a consideration while on a cruise vacation, just like it is while at home or when traveling on land.

February and March see the highest demand among consumers for purchasing cruise vacations to sail to top summer cruise destinations like Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe as well as cruises throughout the world for the remainder of the year. Prospective cruise passengers should book early and take advantage of special buying incentives to secure their first choice of ship, itinerary, cabin location, and sailing date.

AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

AAA Colorado names Five and Four Diamond winners for 2012

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:15:49 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado names Five and Four Diamond winners for 2012

Denver, January 20 – AAA announced today the five Colorado establishments that achieved the travel authority's highest and most exclusive rating for 2011, the AAA Five Diamond Award. Four Colorado lodgings and one restaurant joined this select group–only 0.3 percent of the 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants in North America achieve the rating.

The AAA Five Diamond designation is held by four lodging properties in Colorado: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, The Little Nell in Aspen, The Ritz–Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek and The Ritz–Carlton, Denver. The Broadmoor is celebrating its 36th year as a Five Diamond property, one of only three properties nationwide that have maintained the Five Diamond rating since 1976 when AAA first introduced the Diamond Ratings for accommodations.

The only Colorado restaurant to have achieved a Five Diamond rating is The Penrose Room in the Broadmoor. The restaurant has now held this designation for five years.

"Five Diamond lodgings feature extraordinary physical attributes and meticulous personalized attention that consistently exceed guest expections and Five Diamond restaurants feature world–class service and imaginative menu selections using the finest ingredients," said Tony DeNovellis, president of AAA Colorado. "It is an amazing accomplishment to achieve and maintain this level of quality and service and AAA is pleased to honor these properties with a Five Diamond Rating."

Colorado is also home to 40 lodgings and 22 restaurants that have reached AAA Four Diamond status.

Continuing a 75–year tradition, AAA's professionally trained inspectors use published guidelines to conduct unannounced property evaluations. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity and is the only rating system that covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is one of only two that conduct physical, on–site evaluations, assigning AAA Approved lodgings and restaurants One to Five AAA Diamonds.

AAA's professional inspectors, ideally positioned to observe emerging hospitality trends, noted changes in store for 2012. For hotels, a prevalent trend is creating a home–away–from–home environment, according to AAA inspectors. Another growth area is "smarter" hotel rooms that learn guests' habits as they use a central remote to control everything from heating and air to lights, curtains, music and wakeup calls. In the restaurant industry, prevailing themes include more natural ingredients, locally sourced foods and healthier meal options. These include rustic fare – simple dishes with fresh ingredients – made in–house and new twists on comfort foods such as a "dusting" of dried, powdered fruits or vegetables to add texture and flavor, rather than heavy sauces.

Make the Resolution to be a Safe Driver in 2012

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:56:52 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

Make the Resolution to be a Safe Driver in 2012

AAA Foundation Challenges Motorists to Adopt Responsible Driving Habits.

Denver, January 3 – A recent national survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety confirms that Americans desire a greater level of safety than they now experience on our roads and are open to more government action to make it happen. Yet, many are unwilling to change potentially deadly driving behaviors and candidly admit they are part of the problem. That is why AAA and the Foundation are challenging motorists to examine their driving habits and make a resolution to drive safer in 2012 and beyond.

The Department of Transportation recently released updated fatality and injury data which indicate that 32,885 lives were lost in automobile crashes in 2010, fewer deaths on record than any time for the past 60 years. In Colorado, there were 448 motor vehicle fatalities in 2010, a 3.7% decrease from 2009.

"Even one death on our roads is unacceptable," says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety President and CEO Peter Kissinger. "Something is terribly amiss in our traffic safety culture when, in the safest year since 1949, on average there is still one needless death every 16 minutes in motor vehicle crashes. To reach zero deaths each driver must take a moment to assess his driving habits and ask, when it comes to safe driving, am I part of the problem or part of the solution?"

For the fourth consecutive year, the Foundation's Traffic Safety Culture Index finds that most drivers (86 percent) view it as unacceptable to drive without wearing a seatbelt, yet nearly one in four admit that they have done so in the past 30 days. Additionally, a substantial number of drivers find it unacceptable to drive 10 mph over the speed limit on residential streets and admit to having done so in the past month. Such findings indicate that a false comfort exists among many drivers who believe 'it's the other guy behind the wheel' yet admit to regularly engaging in potentially deadly behaviors like texting, driving while drunk or drowsy, excessive speeding, and red light running. "This 'do as I say, not as I do' attitude that persists among drivers needs to change before we can experience a traffic safety culture where safe driving is the norm," explains Kissinger.

The following is a snapshot of the key findings from the 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index.

Drinking and driving

More than three in four drivers (76 percent) say that people driving after drinking alcohol are a very serious threat to their personal safety and nearly all (97 percent) consider it to be unacceptable. However, over 14 percent of drivers admit to driving when they thought their alcohol level was close to or possibly over the legal limit at least once in the past year, and of these, more than one in five (21 percent) have done so in the past month.

Cell phone use and texting

Distracted driving, specifically cell phone use and texting while driving, is widespread. Ninety–four percent of drivers consider texting while driving a serious threat; however, more than one third of drivers (35 percent) admit to reading a text or email while driving in the past 30 days and more than a quarter of drivers (26 percent) admit to sending a message while driving in the past month.
Additionally, more than two thirds of drivers (68 percent) report talking on their cell phone while driving in the past month, and nearly one in three (31 percent) say they do so fairly often or regularly.

Speeding and Red Light Running

Speeding is widespread on highways and residential roads. Seventy–four percent of drivers consider it unacceptable for a driver to drive more than 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway, yet more than half of drivers (52 percent) admit to having done so in the past month.
Virtually all drivers (94 percent) consider it to be unacceptable for a driver to drive 15 mph over the speed limit on a residential street, yet more than one in four drivers (26 percent) admit to having done so within the past 30 days.
Nearly all drivers (94 percent) view it as unacceptable to drive through a traffic light that has already turned red if they could have stopped safely; however, more than one in three drivers (37 percent) admit doing this in the past month.

Drowsy driving

Most drivers view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and a completely unacceptable behavior.
Virtually all drivers (96 percent) consider it unacceptable for someone to drive when they are so sleepy they can hardly keep their eyes open; however, nearly one third of drivers (32 percent) admit to having done so during the past month.

Seatbelts

Nearly one in four drivers (23 percent) admit that they have driven without wearing their seatbelt in the past 30 days, and nearly one in five (19 percent) say they have done this more than once.

"We are moving in the right direction when it comes to safety on our roads but we need to do much more. Changing driver behaviors is not rocket science � it's harder. Take the first step and make a personal goal to be a safe driver in 2012," concluded Kissinger.

AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

Mountain states projected to exceed national year-end travel trends, says AAA Colorado

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:47:35 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

Mountain states projected to exceed national year-end travel trends, says AAA Colorado

Denver, December 14 – A new national survey sponsored by AAA Colorado forecasts that 31.5 percent of the Mountain states population will travel during the Year–End holidays with 7.13 million people traveling 50 miles or more from home. This is a 2.2 percent increase over Year–End travel one year ago. During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Mountain states travel increased 4.1 percent over one year ago. Memorial Day travel was statistically flat while Independence Day and Labor Day travel experienced decreases of 2.4 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. The Mountain region includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and Montana.

Nationally, 91.9 million Americans will travel between Friday, December 23 and Monday, January 2, a 1.4 percent increase. The 11–day Year–End holiday period is the longest holiday travel season of the year, affording many more Americans time to visit family or take vacations.

Automobile is top transportation choice, increases 3.4 percent
Approximately 6.41 million Mountain states residents (90 percent of holiday travelers) plan to take to the roadways this Year–End holiday travel season, a 2.1 percent increase compared to 2010–11. The majority of travel will occur within the region. The tourism industry in the Mountain region, has been growing on an annualized basis since the end of 2010 and surpassed the growth rate of the United States in the third quarter of 2011.

In Colorado the current average price for regular unleaded gasoline is approximately $3.22 per gallon, about 49 cents more than one year ago. However, the average price is 33 cents less that this year's peak price of $3.77 on May 18 and is 5 cents lower than the current National average price of $3.27.

Air travel down nearly 11 percent
About 510,000 Mountain states leisure travelers (two percent of holiday travelers) will fly during the Year-End holiday travel period, a 10.7 percent decrease from 2010-11. Higher airline ticket prices due to increased jet fuel costs and capacity cuts continue to impact holiday air travel. According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, Year–End holiday airfares are expected to be 21 percent higher than last year with an average lowest round–trip rate of $210 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. This is the highest Year–End holiday average airfare in the past five years.

Hotel rates increase; car rental rates decrease
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond or mid–range lodgings are expected to increase a modest one percent from last year with travelers spending an average of $126 per night compared to $125 one year ago. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay four percent more at an average cost of $92 per night, up from $88 last year.

Daily car rental rates are $40 on average, a 21 percent decrease from one year ago and the lowest seen in the past five years.

Travel distance decreases; median spending increases
According to a survey of traveler intentions, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Year–End holiday travel season is expected to be 726 miles, a decline from 2010–11 when travelers planned to log an average of 1,052 miles. Propelling the reduction in expected travel miles is the 9.7 percent decline in air travel and indications that many air travelers are choosing shorter-distance flights. The percentage of expected trips with a round trip distance above 1,500 miles decreased from 23 percent last year to 17 percent this year. Median spending is expected to be $718, which is a three percent increase from $694 last year. Fuel and transportation costs combine to consume the largest share of holiday spending (32 percent), followed by shopping and food and beverages (tied at 19 percent). Other expenditures include accommodations (15 percent), entertainment and recreation (12 percent), and other costs (four percent).

Year-End Holiday Travel Tips
More Americans travel during the Year–End holiday season than during any other holiday period throughout the year. Our nation's roadways and airports will be busier than normal, so holiday travelers should be sure to pack more patience. AAA offers these important travel tips that can help everyone have an enjoyable and safe Year–End holiday season.

– Plan ahead. Use a travel planning tool like AAA's TripTik Travel Planner available at www.AAA.com to help identify the best driving routes, rest stops and shop the latest gas prices. Our nation's highways will be crowded with both holiday travelers and day–trippers. Continuously monitor weather conditions along your route and be prepared with contingency plans. Doing your homework could save valuable time, fuel costs, and improve travel safety.

– Arrive early. Airports will be crowded and security steps may be intensified so allow additional time at your departure airport. For domestic flights, arrive at least two hours prior to your departure and arrive at least three hours early for international flights. Busier airports may require even earlier arrival times. Monitor weather conditions closely, and before leaving home, visit your airline's website for updates about the status of your flight.

– Avoid the 3 Deadly D's of Driving:

Drunk or Drugged Driving. Remember that impairment begins with the first sip of alcohol. A designated driver should be alcohol–free, not merely the person in your party who has consumed the least amount of alcohol. Many medications have side effects that cause impairment, so read medication labels thoroughly.
Drowsy Driving. Get seven to nine hours of sleep before driving. Take a break every 100 miles or two hours. Do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep. If you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20–to 30–minute nap.
Distracted Driving. It is the driver's responsibility to keep eyes, mind and body fully focused on the task of driving. Assign a passenger to be the designated texter, talker, and navigator. If traveling alone, pull over to a safe location to use your cell phone or adjust your navigation device, then proceed on your trip distraction free. Child and pet passengers can be distractions to drivers, so allow another adult passenger to interact with these family members.

AAA Colorado's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers.

AAA Colorado Urges Families to Prepare for the "Silver Tsunami" of Aging Drivers

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:14:10 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado Urges Families to Prepare for the "Silver Tsunami" of Aging Drivers

During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 5–9, AAA emphasizes the importance of communication to help keep senior drivers safe and mobile.

Denver, December 5 – The first wave of America's baby boomers turning 65 this year will be driving the "silver tsunami" says the American Automobile Association (AAA). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this segment of the population will increase by 75 percent over the next two decades. Research has shown that people today live an average of about 7–10 years beyond their safe driving ability. AAA Colorado is promoting Older Driver Safety Awareness Week to help senior drivers and their families start the conversation about driving options.

In less than 10 years, one in four licensed drivers will be age 65 and older, which means that millions of American families will be working through the challenge of an older adult's driving ability.

Is it safe for them to continue driving?
Are there tools to help them be safer?
How do we know when it's time to hang up the keys?
What options exist when they can no longer drive?

AAA's senior driver safety and mobility website SeniorDriving.AAA.com provides expert advice and research–based tools for senior drivers and their families. Tools on the site are designed to aid in prompting conversations, assessing abilities and improving the comfort and safety of older drivers.

Conversations about safe driving can evoke strong emotional reactions as concerns about personal independence and managing other day–to–day activities may come into question. AAA encourages seniors and their families to approach these sensitive conversations as opportunities for constructive communication and problem solving.

To help manage the effects of aging on driving ability, AAA also offers the following resources for older drivers:

AAA Roadwise Review is a computer–based self–screening tool designed to assess a driver's functional abilities important to safe driving.
AAA's Smart Features for Mature Drivers help to enhance seniors' comfort and safety while driving.
I Drive Safely, an online course available at www.AAA.com/safety, provides driver training to help address the changes caused by aging and how a driver may compensate. This class also qualifies drivers over age 55 for automobile insurance discounts.

AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

AAA Colorado projects 3.17 million Mountain States travelers this Thanksgiving

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:39:29 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado projects 3.17 million Mountain States travelers this Thanksgiving

Despite continued economic uncertainty the choice is family, friends over finances this holiday resulting in first significant increase in any holiday travel this year.

Denver, November 17, 2011 – AAA Colorado forecasts 3.17 million travelers in the Mountain States (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana) during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 4.1 percent increase from one year ago. This is the first significant increase in any holiday travel this year for the Mountain States. Memorial Day travel was statistically flat while Independence Day and Labor Day travel experienced decreases of 2.4 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. Nationally, 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, November 23 to Sunday, November 27.

"AAA is projecting an increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers this year, due mostly to pent–up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years," said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services. "As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to create lasting family memories this holiday, more Americans are expected to choose family and friends over frugality."

Sixty percent of travelers report no economic impact on travel plans
Despite high levels of concern seen in some consumer confidence and consumer comfort surveys, intending travelers seem comfortable with the state of the economy with respect to their travel plans. Sixty percent of intending travelers feel the economy has either no impact on their travel plans or that they feel like things have improved for them. The remaining 40 percent do state an intention to scale back travel plans but in light of the current economic conditions, this is still a positive sign for the industry and an additional reminder of just how important traveling is to the American people.

Automobile travel is dominant in Mountain States
Approximately 2.82 million people (89 percent of Mountain States holiday travelers) plan to take to the nation's roadways this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 3.8 percent increase compared to Thanksgiving 2010. Automobile travel remains the preferred choice of transportation for holiday travelers as it is often more affordable, convenient and flexible. The current average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Colorado is approximately $3.44 per gallon, about 73 cents more than one year ago. However, the average price is about 33 cents less than this year's peak price in Colorado of $3.77 on May 18.

Number of air travelers expected to increase despite higher airfares
Almost 210,000 leisure travelers (6.6 percent of Mountain States holiday travelers) will fly during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 1.7 percent increase from 2010. Fuel costs, combined with steady air travel demand and capacity cuts have resulted in rising airfares over the past year. According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, Thanksgiving airfares for the top 40 U.S. air routes are expected to be 20 percent higher than last year with an average lowest round–trip rate of $212. The combination of higher fares and lower availability of seats is expected to limit air travel growth this holiday to less than half of total traveler growth.

Emphasis on family, friends lowers travel costs
Thanksgiving holiday travel is typically less expensive than other travel holidays because of the emphasis on the Thanksgiving meal and gathering of friends and family. Median spending is expected to be $621. Fuel and transportation costs combine to consume the largest share of holiday spending (39 percent), followed by shopping (18 percent) and food and beverages (19 percent.) Accommodations will be 13 percent of holiday travel costs. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond or mid–range lodgings nationwide are expected to increase six percent from one year ago with travelers spending an average of $145 per night compared to $136 last year. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay seven percent more at an average cost of $103 per night. Further expenditures include entertainment and recreation (12 percent), and other costs (10 percent).

AAA Colorado launches deep discount program

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:32:57 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado launches deep discount program

Denver, November 15 – AAA Colorado announces that today they will launch a new internet based deep discount program to compliment the broad range of discounts that members already receive. The new program is called "Member Deals" and includes a daily internet offer similar to other internet deep discount programs, except the AAA program will be targeted to offers on activities, dining, shopping and services specific to the AAA Colorado customer profile. All AAA Colorado Member Deals will offer discounts from 50% to 80% off regular retail prices.

A recent survey of AAA Colorado's 550,000 members indicated a high number of digital users with over 85% of all members using the internet on a regular basis, almost 40 percent of members reading a digital edition of newspapers or magazines and 9.7 percent owning a tablet computer. Internet only offerings for the first week of Member Deals will include local restaurants, spa services and auto care. Members that have not registered their email address can access the Member Deals on the AAA website.

"Many Americans remain anxious about personal finances and the approaching holidays can add additional stress for those experiencing tight household budgets," said Doug Hutton, senior manager of AAA Partnership Programs. "When making purchases AAA Colorado members should remember the same company they use for emergency roadside assistance and free travel guides can provide savings every day."

In addition to Member Deals, AAA Colorado will continue to offer members discounts through the Show Your Card & Save (SYC&S) program, the largest member discount program in the world, offering savings at more than 164,000 locations worldwide. To learn more about all AAA member discounts visit AAA.com.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 52 million members nationwide with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

Watch Your Step � Halloween night deadly for pedestrians

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:44:42 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

Watch Your Step – Halloween night deadly for pedestrians

Denver, October 28 – Every Halloween, monsters, zombies and ghouls fill the streets across the United States to celebrate. And if that's not scary enough, AAA Colorado uncovered some frightening statistics. Between 2000 to 2009, 607 pedestrians were killed in Colorado and according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, October 31 is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians.

"On Halloween, motorists need to be especially vigilant between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are most vulnerable," said Jennifer Huebner Davidson, AAA manager of traffic safety advocacy. "Slowing down, watching for trick–or–treaters who may cross between cars or mid–block and designating a sober driver may save a life."

To help make the roadways safer this Halloween, AAA Colorado offers motorists a few easy tips:

Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick–or–treaters are likely to be present.
Watch for children in the street. Watch for children walking on streets, medians and curbs. Excited trick–or–treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and cross mid–block or between parked cars. Just ten percent of pedestrian fatalities occur inside a crosswalk.
Slow down. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they're hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to 25 mph. What seems like a small difference–just 10 mph–can be the difference between life and death.
Drive sober. Alcohol–impaired drivers make up about one–third of all motor vehicle deaths resulting in an average of one death every 45 minutes. Always designate a sober driver if you plan to drink.

A few simple steps can help parents keep their trick–or–treaters safe, too:

Trick–or–Treat together. AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick–or–treaters at least until the age of 12.
Make a plan. Review trick–or–treating safety precautions and plan the route ahead of time. Remind children never to cross the street mid–block or between parked cars.
Check costumes. Choose disguises that don't obstruct vision and opt for non–toxic face paint instead of masks. Check and adjust the length of costumes to avoid tripping and add reflective material or tape to keep kids visible.
Buckle up. If driving trick–or–treaters between neighborhoods, always use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.

AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

AAA Colorado Automotive Experts List 8 Ways to Select a Repair Facility

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:53:52 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

AAA Colorado Automotive Experts List 8 Ways to Select a Repair Facility

Denver, October 18 – Fifty four percent of American drivers report they have decided to keep an existing vehicle rather than invest in a newer one, according to a recent AAA survey. In addition, many drivers are foregoing routine vehicle maintenance to save money now, knowing they risk higher repair costs in the future. These findings make it more important than ever for drivers to develop a trusted relationship with a professional auto repair facility.

AAA Automotive experts believe the best way to save money over the life of a vehicle is to choose a high–quality, full-service repair shop and allow them do all of the necessary maintenance and repair work.

"Drivers can take comfort in the knowledge that their vehicle will be serviced by trained professionals who can identify any potential problems," said Jim Abel, AAA Colorado Automotive Support Service. "This helps prevent breakdowns, and often saves money by allowing drivers to make a small repair now rather than a much bigger one later."

"As a repair shop's technicians get to know a vehicle and its owner, they can also give valuable advice on any upcoming work that will be needed," continued Abel.

The best time to look for a repair facility is before one is needed. Drivers can ask family and friends for recommendations, or visit AAA.com/repair to find nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops. During October Car Care Month, most AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities offer free safety checks and service discounts to AAA Colorado members.

AAA Automotive experts recommend that drivers consider these eight areas when selecting a repair shop:

1. Facility Type

When evaluating full–service auto repair shops, drivers have three basic choices:

Dealerships – Dealer service departments are very familiar with common problems on the makes of cars they sell. Dealers also have factory–trained technicians, and are keenly aware of technical service bulletins or other special service advisories.
Independents – Quality independent repair shops may be slightly less expensive than dealers, and tend to have higher overall customer satisfaction. In addition, customers at independent repair shop are more likely to deal directly with the owner or technician, making it easier to develop relationships with the people who service their cars.
Specialists � Some independent repair shops specialize in certain vehicle makes or specific vehicle systems. By focusing on a limited part of the market, these shops can provide very efficient and effective service.

2. Appearance

A clean, well-organized repair facility reflects attention to detail and an effort to maintain a professional image.

3. Amenities

The facility should have a comfortable waiting area and clean restrooms. Many shops now have pick-up and drop–off service for the convenience of customers.

4. Technicians

The facility should employ qualified technicians who receive ongoing training in the latest technology. Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are often posted, and dealerships may display vehicle manufacturer service training credentials. Collision repair shops often have certificates from training offered by the Inter–Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).

5. Equipment

A good repair shop will have up–to–date service equipment and repair data. The amount of information necessary to repair modern cars can no longer be effectively contained in paper manuals. Quality shops today have Internet access to repair information or an on-site service information library of CD/DVD ROMs.

6. Reputation

Time in business can be a good indicator of repair shop quality. Checks with the Better Business Bureau and state department of consumer affairs or Attorney General's office will provide information on the shop's handling of any consumer complaints.

7. Warranty

Quality shops offer at least a 12–month/12,000–mile parts and labor warranty on their work. Drivers who travel regularly should make sure the warranty is honored nationally.

8. Test–Drive the Repair Shop

Once a potential repair facility has been identified, visit the shop for a minor service like an oil change or tire rotation. While you wait, talk with the repair facility employees and do a final evaluation of the shop using the criteria discussed above.

Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) sign

AAA created the AAR program more than 35 years ago to help motorists find high–quality automotive service. There are over 100 AAR facilities across North America. The AAR program includes dealers, independent and speciality repair shops. Every AAA–approved facility undergoes a thorough investigation, and less than half of all applicants are approved.

AAA looks into all the areas discussed above, and much more. After approval, AAR shops are visited quarterly, re–inspected annually and monitored for customer satisfaction to ensure ongoing compliance with AAA standards. To locate nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, visit AAA.com/repair.

In addition to the added peace of mind that comes with AAA approval, AAA Colorado members receive the following benefits at AAR shops:

Free Maintenance Inspection – On request, when having paid repair work done by an AAR facility, your vehicle will be inspected at no charge for those items that most frequently contribute to roadside breakdowns.
Written Estimate – You will be provided a written estimate of the cost of all work to be performed on your vehicle. The final cost may not exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent unless authorized by you in advance.
Warranty – Unless otherwise specified in writing prior to the start of work, all repairs (both parts and labor) are guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, under normal operating conditions.
Dispute Resolution – AAA will investigate any dispute between a AAA member and an AAR facility. AAA's resolution decision is binding on the facility, but you are not bound by AAA's decision and may seek recourse through other avenues.

Many AAR facilities also participate in the AAA Show Your Card & Save program and offer discounts to AAA members.

AAA Colorado has more than 550,000 members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides over 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services, as well as member exclusive savings.

Teen Drivers 50 Percent More Likely to Crash in First Month of Unsupervised Driving

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:21:32 MST

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		AAA Colorado Contact: Wave Dreher 303-210-2904

Teen Drivers 50 Percent More Likely to Crash in First Month of Unsupervised Driving

Denver, October 14 – According to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving on their own than they are after a full year of experience. It takes teen drivers two years of experience to cut their accident rate in half.

Analyzing the crashes of new drivers, researchers found that three common mistakes–failure to reduce speed, inattention, and failure to yield – accounted for 57 percent of all crashes in which teens were at least partially responsible during their first month of licensed driving. Additionally, when researchers looked at specific types of crashes in relation to how long the driver had been licensed, they found that some types of crashes occurred at relatively high rates at first and declined particularly quickly with experience. For example, crashes involving left hand turns were common during the first few months of driving but declined almost immediately. The high initial rate and subsequent steep decline in certain types of crashes appeared to reflect teens' initial inexperience followed by rapid learning. Crash types that decline more slowly appear to result not from lack of understanding, but from failure to master certain driving skills.

Many states, including Colorado have Graduated Drivers License laws to address this issue. These laws include a minimum age of 15 to get a learner's permit, a mandatory holding period of 12 months for the learner's permit with 50 hours of behind the wheel experience and a minimum age of 16 to drive on their own.

"We know that young drivers' crash rates decrease quickly as they gain experience. What our new study tells us is that there are a few specific abilities that we could do a better job of helping teens develop before they begin driving independently," said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

A related AAA Foundation study used in–vehicle cameras to monitor teens when they were learning to drive with parents, followed by the first 6 months of licensed driving without their parents in the car. The research found that while teens had their learner's permits, routine trips on familiar roads under relatively easy driving conditions accounted for the bulk of the time spent behind the wheel.

The study also illustrated changes in teen behavior when a parent is no longer in the car. While the vast majority of driving caught on camera was uneventful, the study did capture a number of close calls due to simple mistakes likely attributable to inexperience, along with a few instances of texting behind the wheel, horseplay with passengers, running red lights, and other potentially distracting or dangerous behaviors.

"This research serves as a great reminder for parents to stay involved in the learning process even after the law allows teens to drive without a parent in the car," Kissinger added. "Continued parent engagement can help teens gain needed driving experience and shape their habits for a lifetime of safe driving."

These studies affirm AAA's long-standing efforts to help parents prepare their teens for independent driving by practicing under a broad range of progressively more challenging conditions. Among the steps parents can take to improve teens' safety as they start driving on their own, AAA suggests:

Practice, practice, practice: Once teens have their actual license, continue to practice together to ensure that basic skills are mastered and to introduce varied driving conditions (snow, heavy traffic, rural roads) with an experienced driver in the passenger seat.
Keep passengers out: Teen drivers' crash risks multiply with teenage passengers in the vehicle. Set limits and enforce them consistently. In Colorado, teens are restricted from having passengers under age 21 (except family members) for the first six months of driving on their own. For the second six months, teens are limited to one passenger under age 21.
Limit night driving: Reduced visibility makes night driving riskier for drivers of all ages. For inexperienced teens, it's even harder. Allow new teen drivers to drive at night only if truly necessary or to practice with a parent. For the first year as a licensed driver, Colorado law restricts night driving between midnight and five a.m.
Keep setting rules: Parents can – and should – set and enforce rules above and beyond their state laws. In addition to night and passenger limits, set rules for inclement weather, highways, cities, or other driving conditions in which a teen has not gained enough experience. Find a parent-teen driving agreement on TeenDriving.AAA.com that can help.

The AAA Foundation commissioned the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center to conduct both studies. Findings pertaining to the crash rates of newly–licensed drivers are based on analysis of crashes of young drivers between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008. The video footage referenced here was collected in a study in which 38 teenage drivers were observed during their first 6 months of licensed driving using an in-vehicle camera.

For more information about the teen driving study or to see the full reports, visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, publicly–supported charitable educational and research organization. Dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads, the Foundation's mission is to prevent crashes and save lives through research and education about traffic safety.