Members Lounge
Issue: July/August 2010
When Courtesy Turns Dangerous
Dos and don’ts for minding your manners on the roadway, without going overboard
Can simple courtesy ever put you in danger behind the wheel? Absolutely, say safety experts—especially in right-of-way situations. Theoretically, the rules of the road answer the question, “Who goes first?” But as a practical matter, people—not rules—confer right of way. Follow these simple dos and don’ts.
- DO look around before giving up your right of way. You’re sitting in backed-up traffic, and somebody wants to turn in front of you, either to enter a side street or to exit a parking lot. Before waving him or her on, check over your shoulder and in your mirrors for traffic approaching from the rear. Otherwise, you’re offering an invitation to collide.
- DON’T blindly accept another driver’s courtesy. Say you’re making a left turn into a gas station from a four-lane thoroughfare (two lanes going in each direction). An oncoming driver stops and waves you to proceed. Don’t go unless you can actually see traffic in both oncoming lanes.
- DO wait out an over-courteous driver. At a four-way stop, the rules of the road dictate that the driver who arrives first proceeds first. Sometimes, however, it’s unclear who stopped first. Or the driver who arrived first also intends to turn left, but mistakenly believes that he or she must yield to the oncoming driver going straight. Exercise patience in waiting out these courtesy standoffs. Remember that right of way is always given, and being right doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll be safe.
For more on safe driving, click here.
Become a Better Driver
Washington drivers 55 and older who complete this mature-driver classroom program may qualify for a discount on their auto insurance premiums. How to register for a class: Send a check or money order (made out to American Driving Services) with desired date noted. American Driving Services, P.O. Box 66681, Seattle, WA 98166-0681. Include date of birth, and AAA number if a current member. Confirmation letter with the details will be sent or emailed before the class date. Refer any questions about the program to Mary or Danny Lilleness at (206) 243-3564. Classes are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information or for online classes visit www.AAA.com/insurance.
| July | 17 | Renton | Highlands Community Church |
| 24 | Seattle (Roosevelt) | Calvary Christian Assembly | |
| 31 | Silverdale | Crista Shores Retirement Community | |
| August | 7 | Tacoma | The Villas at Union Park |
| 14 | Renton | Highlands Community Church | |
| 21 | Issaquah | Timber Ridge at Talus | |
| September | 2 | Redmond | Redmond Senior Center |
| 11 | Renton | Highlands Community Church | |
| 21 | Sequim | Pioneer Park Clubhouse | |
| 24 | Seattle (Ballard) | The Vine Baptist Church | |
| 25 | Everett | Sons of Norway/Normanna Hall | |
| 29 | Des Moines | Wesley Homes Auditorium |
We want to know...
What is your biggest driving pet peeve? E-mail your vote to journey@AAAjourney.com by JULY 15, and we’ll reveal the results in our next issue.
New AAA Apps!
AAA recently launched two new mobile phone applications to provide members with easier access to AAA’s products and services.
AAA FindMe is now available to Sprint mobile phone users, and it allows users to have their Sprint mobile phone’s GPS location sent directly to AAA when requesting roadside assistance. The service is free and requires no special download or equipment, making it a first of its kind in the wireless industry.
Members must register for the service in advance by visiting www.AAA.com/AAAFindMe and providing your AAA membership number and Sprint mobile phone number.
AAA has also launched a new version of AAA Mobile Web that is available to enhanced smartphone users on any wireless network. Accessible at www.AAA.mobi, AAA Mobile Web provides:
- AAA TourBook® and CampBook content search
- AAA Approved Auto Repair shop locator
- AAA Show Your Card & Save® discount locations
- AAA branch office finder
- Information to request roadside assistance
- Driving directions with routing maps
- A downloadable desktop icon for BlackBerry users
DISCOUNTS
Your AAA membership allows you to save on products and services you buy and use every day. For more information on more than 100,000 participating businesses all over the U.S. as well as internationally, go to www.AAA.com/Discounts. In the meantime, start your savings now by checking out the following:
Wild Waves
Save $3 at the gate on adult admission at this fun amusement and water park in Federal Way. For even greater savings, purchase adult and children’s tickets in
advance at 14 Puget Sound area AAA offices.
Shuttle Express Services
Book an exclusive town car or 10-passenger van to take your family to and from the airport, cruise terminal or train station, or charter a limo, 16-passenger luxury party bus, or a 25- to 32-passenger coach to transport your group anywhere in the Puget Sound area and save 10%. Also save on the scheduled door-to-door shared van service between Seattle and Portland. Call (425) 981-7000. (The discount does not apply to the airport rideshare program.)
LEGO Fun at AAA
Children ages 5 and older can participate in a fun interactive LEGO board game when accompanied by an adult. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., kids can “drive” a LEGO car around a map of the United States made up entirely of LEGO bricks, making stops along the way. Complete the game and take home a free LEGO car and a free U.S. road map. You’ll find professionally created LEGO vehicle models on display, and don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a four-pack of admission tickets to LEGOLAND® California in Carlsbad. Play the LEGO map game at these AAA offices from 10 a.m. to 3 pm:
Eastside for Hire
Eastside for Hire offers dependable door-to-door personal transportation with a flat rate and no surcharges, so you know the cost of your trip up front. Save 15% on fares in King County, and some cities in Snohomish and Pierce counties, when you call (206) 242-6200 or (425) 453-9000. (Identify yourself as a AAA member to the dispatcher and provide the first six digits from your membership card.)
Sweepstakes
July 1 through Aug. 31, catch great back-to-school discounts with your AAA card and a chance to win great prizes when you enter the AAA Back to School Sweepstakes by playing a fun online game at AAA.com/CatchTheDiscounts. A $5,000 grand prize and hundreds of gift cards will be awarded.
No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Must be a legal resident of the United States and 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. Promotion ends Aug. 31, 2010. For official rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit AAA.com/CatchTheDiscounts. Sponsor: AAA, Inc., 1000 AAA Drive, MS73, Heathrow, FL 32746.
Precision Garage Door Service
Save 15% on new garage doors and garage door openers, installation, repair and maintenance services provided by trained technicians with a commitment to customer satisfaction. In the greater Puget Sound area call (888) 776-6890, and in the Spokane area call (509) 464-2566.
NAPA
Autograph Session with Ron Capps, NHRA Driver: On July 8, from noon to 2 p.m., Capps will sign autographs at the NAPA Auto Parts Store at 8441 S. 180th St., Kent. Capps has driven and won in both Top Fuel and Funny Cars since he began his pro NHRA career in 1995. Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, Capps ended the 2009 season in third place in point standings. Free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (while supplies last). All NAPA tools and equipment will be on sale with discounts up to 40% off regular price from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at this location only.
Target.com
Save 10% on back-to-school merchandise, as well as items for the home, furniture, toys, sporting goods and gifts when you shop online at AAA.com/Target. The discount may be used with qualifying free shipping offers. Restrictions do apply; please see website for details.
Approved Auto Repair: Save 10% on standard parts and labor with $30 maximum savings. 11727 124th Ave. N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034, (425) 827-6287.
