Our History

Establishment of the Foundation

One of AAA’s main concerns was keeping roadways safe. The organization started one of its first traffic safety initiatives in 1922 when it launched the school safety patrol program. That prompted other safety-related programs, including a landmark effort to reverse the soaring pedestrian fatality rate during the 1930s. With the surge in the number of people and cars in the United States, AAA knew that it would need to expand such traffic safety efforts but recognized that it couldn’t stretch its annual safety budget further. So AAA started exploring plans for an independent foundation that could solicit its own tax-exempt donations for traffic safety programs.

On November 5, 1947, six AAA board members and staff met at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. to incorporate the new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In the coming months, the Foundation’s board started selecting key AAA projects – mainly related to safety patrols and driver education. The Foundation expanded its work considerably during the 1950s and early 1960s through funding films, television shows, and research, and since then, it has gone on to shape Americans’ understanding of traffic safety.

Highlights Through the Years

As the COVID-19 pandemic upended American life, its impacts are felt on the roads as well. The AAA Foundation’s unique research and data shed light on the most important changes and trends.

As the COVID-19 pandemic upended American life, its impacts are felt on the roads as well. The AAA Foundation’s unique research and data shed light on the most important changes and trends.

2022

Through vehicle crash tests, the AAA Foundation clearly demonstrated the danger of speeding. Research findings suggested a holistic approach when considering changes in the posted speed limits on roadways.

2021

Many new vehicles include technology to automatically brake to help avoid a crash; some even accelerate and steer themselves under certain conditions. Research from the AAA Foundation demonstrated the importance of ensuring that drivers understand these technologies, as well as the perils of over-hyping their capabilities or glossing over their limitations.

2020

Fueled by the growing number of states legalizing recreational use of marijuana and concerns over drug-impaired driving, AAA Foundation conducted research to determine the traffic safety impact.

2019

The AAA Foundation cast a new vision in its research work and established four new research priorities to address current and future traffic safety needs:

Driver Behavior & Performance
Emerging Technologies
Roadway Systems & Drivers
Vulnerable Road Users

2016

The AAA Foundation launched research to track three thousands of drivers over time as they age, to understand the safety and mobility needs of the older drivers of tomorrow.

2014

The AAA Foundation conducted research to measure mental distraction in the vehicle and encouraged automakers to carefully examine the safety impacts of their vehicle systems.

2013

The AAA Foundation launched its first annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, an annual survey of driving behavior and attitudes about traffic safety among the American public.

2008

The AAA Foundation research demonstrated the lifesaving benefits of new licensing systems designed to ease new drivers onto the road and help them to gain experience safely. At AAA’s urging, the programs were adopted in every U.S. state.

2007

The AAA Foundation developed a protocol to rate the relative risk of roads, to help road authorities identify where safety investments can have the greatest impact.

2006

The AAA Foundation provided a roadmap to lead driver education into the 21st century with its Novice Driver Education Model Curriculum Outline.

1990s (cont.)

As mobile phones increase in popularity, so do concerns about driver distraction. Innovative AAA Foundation research measured potential risks associated with distracted driving.

1990s (cont.)

The AAA Foundation research sounded the alarm on drowsy driving, an underappreciated cause of crashes, injuries, and deaths on our roads.

1990s

The AAA Foundation launched projects on safe playing for preschoolers, films on drunk driving for elementary students, and studies on urban mini-cars and school buses.

1980s

The AAA Foundation studied commuting, marijuana use and driving, radio use in cars, and first used the term driving while intoxicated.

1970s

The AAA Foundation released early studies on younger drivers, a comparison of driver’s education programs, and changes to driver training techniques. The first AAA Foundation study on vehicle design deficiencies was commenced.

1960s

The AAA Foundation used cartoons, TV shows, and products created by Disney Studios to reach young audiences. Five films promote good highway driving techniques.

1950s

AAA established the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety on November 4th to address growing roadway safety issues.

1947

Animation and Video Showcase

From animated to live-action, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has produced a multitude of educational films from the 1950s to 1990s. To celebrate this history, the Foundation has embarked on a task to digitize and share some of its most popular videos.

Freeway Driving

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Are You Reading Me?

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Otto the Auto – Squeaky and His Playmates

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Otto the Auto – Billy's New Tricycle

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Otto the Auto – Peter the Pigeon

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Otto the Auto - Timothy the Turtle

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Otto the Auto – Otto Meets a Puppet

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Otto the Auto – The Bright Yellow Jacket

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Breaking the Accident Chain of Events

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Heavenly Debate (1989)

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To see other AAA Foundation productions, click here.