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Member Feedback
AAA's view on roadway safety I object to mandatory "self protection" legislation, i.e., seat belt and helmet laws. These decisions should rest with the individual, not with an Orwellian police state. Referencing the March/April issue and Tony DeNovellis' [AAA President & CEO] lobbying effort for primary seat belt laws. In my opinion, AAA has no business getting involved with such political issues. Rather than use our money to force us to protect ourselves against ourselves, why not reduce dues, or expand direct member services? I'll bet that I'm not the only one who feels this way. —James Whitmer, Lafayette Editor's Note: AAA was formed as an association to promote the responsible, safe use of the automobile and to help facilitate a national roadway system. More than 100 years later, motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of U.S. citizens ages 1 to 34. Last year, nearly 43,000 Americans died on U.S. roads. These disturbing statistics are likely to worsen. The driving environment today is characterized by ever-larger vehicles, faster speeds and longer commutes. Meanwhile, our vehicles are becoming more and more like work and entertainment centers that include potential driver distractions such as laptop computers, cell phones, video players and computer games. The amount of money AAA Colorado invests in lobbying activities is minimal. AAA efforts on safety come largely in the form of community-awareness activities such as street safety programs at schools, child safety seat checks, and partnerships with police associations and medical professionals. AAA also provides safety news, tips and information to members through this magazine and at aaa.com. AAA's view is that roadway safety is a growing issue and that more needs to be done to remind the public and legislators about the importance of safe, responsible driving. Proverb or marketing? When I was a boy growing up in South Africa, I was told of a supposed African proverb that Africa is like a lion, and once it gets its claws in you, you will never escape, it will always draw you back. Later, I read somewhere that further north in Africa, the locals supposedly say that he who steps once into the waters of the Nile will always return to step into those waters again. Add Chief Niwot's supposed curse (Member Feedback, March/April 2004), so remarkably similar to the preceding, and I find myself imagining a 17th century London agent for plantation developers chewing the end of his quill as he tries to come up with the perfect line to encourage people to emigrate. Little did he know how far his catch phrases would propagate! —David Dvorkin, email A safety issue about school buses In regards to car length vs. the three-second-rule feedback in the March/April issue; yes, I continue to see individuals tailgating all the time. Additionally, many drivers ignore the school bus stop sign when a school bus has stopped to pick up/drop off children. Please, drive with caution and slow down. —Patricia McCarroll, email Editor's Note: On a related note, see page 10 for this issue's Safety Tip, which deals with driving and school children. Reader notices magazine changes After reading the March/April issue of EnCompass, I have to congratulate you for the admirable job you've done in rejuvenating the magazine. From an adequate but only marginally interesting publication, it has become a "must read." From the classy cover to the astonishing wealth of fascinating and beautifully illustrated articles to the plentiful driving and safety tips, this issue fulfilled all the requirements of what an organization magazine should be. —Lucy Beckstead, Wheat Ridge Editor's Note: We welcome all reader feedback and use it in our continuing efforts to strengthen the magazine's content and presentation. In this issue (at this page) we have included a postage-paid reader survey card and encourage all readers to fill it out. Buying a car made easy Because our 1995 Ford Taurus required three more major and expensive repairs, we realized we had to replace the car. We turned to AAA Colorado's AutoSource for assistance. We contacted Laurie MacKenzie, a broker with Automobile Sales and Leasing in your Fort Collins Branch. She was a pleasure to work with; she clearly placed our interests above those of the vendor. She certainly smoothed out the bumpy road for us when having to buy a new car. —June and Alex Cringan, Fort Collins |
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