Sco by AAA East Central

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 3

Take the Pledge — Drive drug and alcohol free Join the fight against this killer on the road Ohio/West Virginia Official publication of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 USPS 0016-186 ISSN 1097-4504 Periodicals Postage Paid at Portsmouth, OH and additional mailing office Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist South Central Ohio 1414 Twelfth St., Portsmouth OH 45662-4235 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year. Publisher.................................. James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Doug O’Neil Ohio Editor ............................. Babbette L. Bays Editorial Offices 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com

AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman: ................................................Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman:....................................... James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ....................................................James E. Lehman Treasurer & CFO: ............................................Michael R. Pratt Secretary: ................................................ Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, Richard D. Linderman**, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Chairman, Neil D. Bassi, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Charles O. Casto, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Mona N. Generett, Charles W. Groce , Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors SCO Chairman ..................................James F. Ward SCO Regional President ...........Michael A. Morgan Advisory Board Nolan Borden, Marianne B. Campbell, Robert Cannon, Robert H. Compton, Jeffrey Daubenmire, James Doersam, Jack G. Ellis, Jeffrey Griffith, John G. Jones, Jeri Knowlton, Ernest McFarland, Robert L. Morton, Jay Murphy, Tom Reed, Ronald Swonger, William Thompson, James F. Ward, Joseph B. Yanity Jr.

Copyright ©2013 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.

By Mike Morgan, President AAA South Central Ohio he holiday season is a time to celebrate, but it can also lead to trouble on the road. Cars are packed, traffic is heavy and the weather outside may be frightful. Tempers become frayed and drivers are often exhausted from a long ride. Add alcohol to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. About 40 percent of all traffic fatalities between Christmas and New Year’s involve alcohol. The first day of the year is also the deadliest day of the year for alcohol-related fatalities for motorists and pedestrians alike. You’ve all heard of Black Friday. Now there’s “Blackout Wednesday” thanks to a staggering increase in binge drinking and alcohol-fueled crashes on the night before Thanksgiving. The real tragedy is that drunk driving injuries and deaths are totally preventable if people make responsible choices. Spurred on by organizations like AAA and like-minded stakeholders, tougher legislation, and more proactive enforcement, drunk driving fatalities have declined by nearly 40 percent in the past two decades. Other contributing factors include shifting demographics and major improvements in emergency medicine and vehicle safety. Although social drinkers are much more aware of the risks, those who continue to drink and drive are more likely to be hard-core offenders, habitual drinkers who regularly consume large amounts of alcohol and drive

Mike Morgan afterwards. About one-third of those arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders, and up to two-thirds of those with suspended licenses still drive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration those drivers are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Clearly, more work needs to be done preventing drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel. AAA supports requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders. These devices prevent operation of the vehicle by anyone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above a specified safe level. When installed, interlocks are associated with about a 70 percent reduction in arrest

rates for impaired driving. AAA is also working year-round to educate motorists about the hazards and driving practices that will help keep them safe and reduce alcoholrelated crashes. PreventDUI.AAA.com is an online resource offering impaired driving facts, transportation alternatives and expert advice. While you’re there, AAA encourages visitors to Take the Pledge to drive drug and alcoholfree. Simply provide your name, email and zip code, and “sign” the pledge by checking the box. Then, help spread the word to family and friends via social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Send personalized e-cards to encourage others to do the same with timely messages that could one day help save their lives. PreventDUI.AAA.com also helps AAA members become more effective advocates. It’s not only a gateway for people to publicly commit to the fight against impaired driving, but a valuable resource for prevention tips and up-todate statistics to help people drive more responsibly. If you’re planning to drink this holiday season, make sure you bring a designated driver. If you feel like you’ve had too much to drink, call a friend or a cab — don’t drive. Never allow yourself or your loved ones to ride in a vehicle driven by someone who is intoxicated. We’ve all seen the consequences of having “one too many” and the stakes are just too high to gamble with the legal limit.

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Ring in the New Year with AAA Premier Up to 200 miles free towing and more

ow is the season when people often begin thinking about New Year’s resolutions. This year, resolve to protect your family both at home and on the road with an upgrade to AAA Premier membership, AAA’s most comprehensive package of services and benefits. “We introduced AAA Premier after determining that members were looking for even higher levels of protection and benefits than those of basic or AAA Plus membership,” said John Herrilko, AAA East Central Senior Vice President. AAA Premier is perfect for members planning to hit the road for the holidays. AAA Premier roadside assistance includes one tow of up to 200 miles per household per membership year, in addition to three remaining calls, which can be tows of up to 100 miles. If your vehicle does need to be towed, you’ll also be reimbursed for up to $55 in car-rental fees. If you rent from Hertz, you will receive a second day’s rental free on a minimum two-day emergency rental.

AAA Premier also includes trip interruption protection. Members are eligible for up to $1,500 toward the cost of substitute transportation and/or accommodations, should travel plans be delayed or interrupted (when driving 100 miles or more from home) due to an accident, mechanical breakdown, car theft or illness. In addition, members qualify for up to $500 in vehicle return coverage if car issues result in the use of substitute transportation. “People are amazed how quickly costs can add up, and how much these Premier benefits alone can help out when the unexpected happens,” said Herrilko. “With trip interruption and vehicle return coverage, members can quickly get back on schedule and complete their trip.” Some of the most commonly used AAA Premier benefits can be found at your local AAA branch office. Premier members can receive passport photos or personal notary service at no charge. In addition, the $25 per person airline reservation fee is waived for AAA Premier members who book reserva-

tions at their AAA Travel Agency. AAA Premier members also save 15 percent on luggage and travel accessories at AAA Travel Stores in AAA East Central branch offices. Use your discount to buy gifts for the traveler on your holiday shopping list, or to stock up on essentials for your winter vacation getaway. “With all that AAA Premier membership has to offer, there’s a good chance that your family will use at least one of these benefits each year,” Herrilko said. “And almost all of these benefits pay for the cost of annual membership in themselves. That’s why we think it’s become so popular among our members.” Visit www.AAA.com/premier for a comparison of AAA basic, AAA Plus and AAA Premier benefits. AAA Premier is available at an annual fee of just $35 per household, in addition to the member’s basic and AAA Plus membership dues. To upgrade to AAA Premier, call or stop by your local AAA branch office, or contact the Club’s Member Service Call Center at 800.441.5008.