The Establishment of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
From Concern to Commitment
One of AAA’s main concerns was keeping roadways safe.
The organization launched one of its first traffic safety initiatives in 1922 with the school safety patrol program, followed later by a landmark campaign to reverse the soaring pedestrian fatality rate during the 1930s. As the number of people and cars on American roads continued to grow, AAA recognized that it would need to expand its traffic safety work. That realization set the stage for an independent foundation – one that could solicit its own tax-exempt donations and pursue traffic safety programs at a larger scale.
That vision became reality on November 5, 1947, when six AAA board members and staff gathered at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., to incorporate the new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In the months that followed, the Foundation’s board identified key priorities, focusing initially on safety patrols and driver education. Since then, the Foundation has continued to shape how Americans understand and respond to the dangers of the road.
The Story of Our Progress
The Board of Trustees endorsed a strategic plan to expand staffing and internal capabilities to help position the Foundation to better respond to road safety challenges.
Convened the inaugural Safe Mobility Conference to help foster connections and dialogue geared towards achieving safer mobility for all road users.
Launched multiple research projects to identify risks and critical safety countermeasures to protect roadside service workers, who face dangers daily while rescuing stranded motorists.
As the COVID-19 pandemic upended American life, its impacts were felt on the roads as well. The AAA Foundation’s unique research and data shed light on the most important changes and trends.
Using vehicle crash tests, AAA Foundation illustrated the dangers of speeding and recommended a holistic approach when considering changes to speed limits.
Demonstrated the importance of ensuring that drivers understand new and emerging vehicle automation technologies, as well as the perils of exaggerating their capabilities.
Fueled by the growing number of states legalizing recreational use of marijuana, AAA Foundation conducted research to determine the traffic safety impact.
The Foundation cast a new vision and established four new research priorities to address current and future traffic safety needs.
Launched research to track the health, driving, and safety of three thousand drivers over multiple years, to understand the safety and mobility needs of older drivers.
Measured mental distraction in the vehicle and encouraged automakers to carefully examine the safety impacts of their in-vehicle systems.
Research showed that even small differences in vehicle speed led to large changes in risk for pedestrians, paving the way to safer speed limits in cities around the U.S.
Launched the first Traffic Safety Culture Index, an annual survey of driving behavior and attitudes about traffic safety among the American public.
AAA Foundation research demonstrated the 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.
The AAA Foundation provided a roadmap to lead driver education into the 21st century with its Novice Driver Education Model Curriculum Outline.
As mobile phones increased in popularity, so did concerns about driver distraction. Innovative AAA Foundation research measured potential risks associated with distracted driving.
AAA Foundation research sounded the alarm on drowsy driving, an underappreciated cause of crashes, injuries, and deaths on our roads.
Projects on safe playing for preschoolers, urban mini-cars and school buses were launched. Films for educational campaigns on drunk driving for elementary students were produced.
New research areas emerged, including commuting, marijuana use and driving, and radio use in cars. The term ‘driving while intoxicated’ was first used.
Early studies were conducted on younger drivers, driver’s education programs, and driver training techniques. The first AAA Foundation study on vehicle design deficiencies was commenced.
Cartoons, TV shows, and products created by Disney Studios were used to reach young audiences. Five films promoted good highway driving techniques.
AAA established the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety on November 4th, 1947 to address growing roadway safety issues.
AAA Foundation Leaders
C. Y. David Yang, Ph.D.
President & Executive Director
J. Peter Kissinger
President & CEO
David K. Willis
Executive Director
Sam Yaksich, Jr.
Executive Director
Calvin F. Larson
Executive Director
Burton W. Marsh
Executive Director
Board President served
as de facto head
General Jacob L. Devers
Managing Director