Auto Club: Southland Drivers Need Sharp Skills to be Highway Survivors.

Business Editors & Automotive Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Can drivers tell when they're exhibiting signs of rage? When should an elderly parent stop driving? What steps should teen-agers take before learning to drive?

AAA answers these questions in its new book, "Driving Survival, How to Stay Safe on the Road," by Jim MacPherson, a licensed master driving instructor and automotive writer. The latest title in the AAA Auto Guide(TM) series offers readers a comprehensive look at a wide variety of driving situations and how to handle them. The book is available at Automobile Club of Southern California local offices.

"The reality is that most fatal crashes involve people who are considered `good' drivers," said Steve Mazor, the Auto Club's principal automotive engineer, noting that only 15 percent of these drivers were in a previous crash while nearly 59 percent had no previous convictions for motor vehicle offenses.

"Whether you are just learning to drive or have been driving for decades, you need `tools of the road' -- specific techniques, knowledge and skills -- to survive increasingly complex driving environments, traffic patterns, vehicles and laws," said Mazor.

"'Driving Survival' is a reference book for everything from potentially dangerous situations, such as driving at night or handling breakdowns, to consumer information, such as buying a safer car or coping with road rage."

Statistics from law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol indicate that "road rage" and reckless driving have increased in the Golden State over the last five years. Reckless driving increased 18% last year and nine highway and road shootings were reported.

"The book also provides information on how to maximize use of vehicle safety systems, contains sample parent-teen driving contracts, discusses how growing older can affect driving and offers tips on how to prevent involvement in road rage incidents," added Mazor. "It's extremely comprehensive."

Recognizing that most crashes result from errors made by "good" drivers who often have years of experience behind the wheel, "Driving Survival" strives to help drivers embrace new approaches to driving with the intent of reducing the likelihood of a crash, injury or death.

Throughout the book MacPherson provides information on developing safe driving habits and handling everyday situations drivers encounter including highway driving, safety in larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickups, avoiding crime, mechanical emergencies, car crashes, severe weather, vehicle maintenance, managing risk and driving in a foreign country.

"Driving Survival" is available in all Auto Club and AAA local offices. It's available online through participating club Web sites or www.aaa.com. It's also available in some retail bookstores for $15.95. The Auto Club price to members is $11.95.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, automotive testing and analysis, automotive maintenance and vehicle inspection services, trip planning services, and highway and transportation safety programs.

Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.