Members Lounge

Issue: May/June 2011

Not Getting the Message

Writer David Volk rides along with a state trooper on the lookout for drivers who won’t hang up

by David Volk

It’s 10:30 a.m. on a rainy Tuesday and Jason Greer is not optimistic.

I am riding along with Washington State Patrol Trooper Greer in hopes of seeing him ticket people using cell phones while driving, but it’s raining on our parade because people are usually more careful in bad weather, he says.

Apparently, the Honda Odyssey driver holding a phone to his left ear as Greer passes didn’t get the memo. Once Greer pulls even in his unmarked Dodge Magnum, the man sees the uniform, drops his phone and pulls off the road.

Ironically, the man says he supports Washington’s cell phone law and was trying to obey it.

“I was on the phone with my wife looking for my Bluetooth,” he says. Greer rewards his honesty with a warning. He’s less generous with an 18-year-old woman using her phone to discuss a belly- button-ring crisis with her mother. She gets a ticket because he didn’t feel she was driving safely.

Welcome to Washington’s new, improved cell phone law. Before the law changed last year, motorists only got tickets for using phones while driving if they were stopped for another infraction first. Now, it’s a primary violation for anyone holding a phone to an ear or texting while operating a vehicle.

The change has meant a substantial increase in tickets—3,149 citations were issued in the first five months of enforcement compared to only a total of 666 last year. Greer himself estimates that he does an average of four cell phone stops a day. Today is no exception.

“I try to use the least amount of enforcement necessary to get the point across. If they are on the cell phone and I didn’t observe bad driving, I’ll often go with a warning,” he says. That’s how a 50-something, Bluetooth-wearing woman driving a Volkswagen Rabbit avoids a ticket for texting while at a traffic light. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not legal to text (or use a cell phone without a headset) at a light. Tickets for texting are rare, however, because it can be difficult for a trooper to determine if a driver is typing a message or dialing a phone, which is legal. Greer caught her when he noticed that she was slow to react to the light turning green, but gave her a warning because she was honest and drove safely.

The woman holding a phone to her ear at a light near the I-5 onramp at 145th Street isn’t as lucky. After pulling up beside her car, Greer watches her talk at length, look at him, laugh, and go back to talking. He finally gets out of the car and knocks on her window to get her attention and pull her over.

His final stop during my ride-along occurs back on I-5 close to where we started when he pulls over a silver Dodge 4 x 4. Unlike most drivers Greer stops, the man makes no effort to shut off his phone and talks long after he’s come to a stop.

“I figured I was getting a ticket anyway, so I might as well finish my conversation,” he told Greer.

Although the number of citations is up, Greer says he isn’t sure how much of an impact it’s having on cell phone use while driving and distracted driving overall. “Since it’s become a primary violation, it’s been better, but it’s still a problem. Some people still haven’t gotten the message,” he says, adding that the equipment used is just part of the problem. The real distraction is the conversation itself.

You’re Invited: In-Office Travel Events

Learn about amazing travel opportunities and find great deals at these presentations, hosted by AAA Travel and our preferred travel partners at the AAA office noted in each listing (click here for locations).

Rivers of the World
Join Viking River Cruises for an informative presentation and discover why the most relaxing way to explore Europe, Russia, China and beyond is on a luxury river cruise.
Wed., May 11, AAA Bellingham 6 p.m., RSVP: (360) 752-6575
Thurs., May 12, AAA Mount Vernon 6 p.m., RSVP: (360) 848-2090
Packing, safety and more
Experts from AAA Travel answer your questions at this seminar on travel safety, packing, TSA regulations, airline baggage fees and other topics.
Wed., May 18, AAA West Seattle 1 p.m., RSVP: (206) 933-4103
Thurs., May 19, AAA Renton 6 p.m., RSVP: (425) 251-4811
Discover Your Own Backyard
Learn about the many exciting ways to explore Puget Sound from Argosy Cruises and AAA. Whether you sail through locks, visit Tillicum Village (departures from Bremerton begin in June) or enjoy an exquisite brunch, lunch or dinner cruise on Elliott Bay, you’ll be amazed by the wonders you encounter along the way.
Wed., June 8, AAA Bremerton 1 pm, RSVP (360) 475-3050

May is Disney Month at AAA

Now is the time to plan your magical vacation to the Disneyland_® Resort or Walt Disney World_® Resort or to set sail on Disney Cruise Line_®. AAA offers special member benefits, plus when you purchase a Disney vacation through AAA in May, children ages 3 to 9 will receive an Authentic Disney Autograph Book (while supplies last). For more information or to book your Disney Dream Vacation, call (800) 430-9001.

New: AAA Member Rewards Visa^® Credit Card

We are now offering the AAA Member Rewards Visa^® credit card, which will give you points on everyday purchases and an incredible variety of cash, travel and merchandise rewards. You’ll start off with 2,500 bonus points after your first qualifying purchase. Then, you add more points with these everyday purchases:

TRIPLE points for qualifying AAA and travel purchases
DOUBLE points for grocery, gas and drugstore purchases
SINGLE point per dollar for all other purchases

Apply now at www.AAA.com/MemberRewards or call (866) 665-3581.

Keeping Our Students Safe

Each year, in recognition of outstanding student safety patrollers, AAA Washington inducts 10 patrollers into the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. Students were nominated by their safety patrol adviser and had to provide responses to four traffic-safety essay questions. Judges from AAA, the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction selected the winners of the 2011 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. The following patrollers are being recognized during a Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox pregame ceremony on May 6.

Safety Patrol Hall of Fame Inductees 2011:

Peyton Curtis Ritzville Grade School, Ritzville
Brenna Day Highland Terrace Elementary, Shoreline
Baptiste Debuire AG Bell Elementary, Kirkland
Jessica Gennett Cooper Elementary, Spokane
Evan Siegel Salmon Creek Elementary, Vancouver
Tyler Slade White Bluffs Elementary, Richland
Josh Weber Southgate Elementary, Kennewick
Grace Williams Cascade View Elementary, Tukwila
Kailee Woods Nob Hill Elementary, Yakima
Lauren Yockey Gilbert Elementary, Yakima

Times They Are a-Changin’ – Are You Protected?

In this ever-changing world, your life probably changes right along with it. Make sure your insurance needs are up to speed.

Changes that warrant attention:

A simple employer change or a career move can have an impact on your insurance needs. How far you commute to work, or if you now use your vehicle for business, can make a difference in the premiums and your coverage needs on your auto insurance.
Working from home can have a large impact on the insurance that is provided on your home insurance policy, not only relating to what property is covered but also for adequate liability protection.
Major purchases, adding onto your home or remodeling can alter the values that need to be insured on home insurance. They can also change the coverages you may need.
If you have recently moved into an apartment, the landlord’s insurance will provide coverage for the structure but not your personal property and liability.
If you temporarily move out of your home for a remodel project or missionary work, make sure you contact your insurance professional as occupancy may limit insurance on your policies.
Marriage, divorce, retirement or the birth of a child may have an effect on your life insurance needs.

Take the time and review your insurance policies. AAA Insurance offers a full service personal insurance agency that can help review and answer your insurance questions, while offering member discounts. For more information, visit us at www.AAA.com/insurance, call (877) 222-4678 or contact a AAA Insurance agent near you.

AAA Offers Tools, Resources During Older Americans Awareness Month

In honor of May being Older Americans Awareness Month, AAA would like to make seniors and their families aware of the tools available to assist them in staying safe on the road and behind the wheel. AAA’s resources are designed to help senior drivers assess their driving health, find their perfect vehicle fit and extend their safe-driving years. For more information, visit www.AAAseniors.com or attend a “Keeping the Keys” presentation.

MAY 17: TRI-CITIES
Presentation: 1 p.m.
Kennewick Senior Center
500 S. Auburn St.
RSVP required: (509) 585-4303

JUNE 14: SPOKANE
Presentation: Noon
Southside Senior Activity Center
3151 E. 27th Ave.
RSVP and $6 lunch fee required: (509) 535-0803

AAA Diamond Award Winner Spotlight: Four Seasons, Seattle

by Nicole Meoli

For the past two years, I’ve heard rave reviews about the Four Seasons in downtown Seattle, so I decided to check it out for myself. And I now know why. Everyone calls you by name, assuming they know it, makes a point to say good morning or good evening, and you can get just about anything “on request” here if it’s not found in your room. From ceiling to floor: impeccable.

After checking in, I made my way into the hotel’s ART Restaurant for dinner. Chef Kerry Sear designed the menu to showcase Pacific Northwest cuisine with “unique global influences.” Even better, he does so using local ingredients produced by organic growers. I had the seared Indian-spiced salmon with Maine lobster, accompanied by winter greens and Yukon gold potatoes. The menu downplayed the lobster, however, and when it arrived, I couldn’t believe the size of the portion of sweet, succulent crustacean. (See tag at left for the recipe from Chef Sear.) Completely full and content, I made my way out of the restaurant to head up to bed. And of course, at least two of ART’s staff bid me a: “Good evening, Miss Meoli.” Not to miss here: The Spa at Four Seasons; al fresco dining on the pool terrace to watch the sunset; complimentary valet parking with dinner at ART Restaurant.

Celebrating Our Environment

Events planned all summer for Mountains to Sound Greenway’s 20th anniversary

The Mountains to Sound Greenway is a national success story about people who wanted to make a difference. What began as a vision by a group of hikers 20 years ago has become part of the Pacific Northwest’s living legacy. The Greenway now stretches between Seattle and central Washington, and surrounds I-90 with a spectacular landscape of viable outdoor spaces, vibrant communities, opportunities for outdoor recreation and accessible connections to the area’s rich history and culture.

Throughout 2011, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, along with local communities, outdoor recreation groups and AAA as a sponsor, will celebrate the Greenway’s 20th anniversary across King and Kittitas counties by showcasing the Greenway with events, activities and educational opportunities.

The 8th Annual Mountains to Sound Greenway Summer will include anniversary-themed heritage events along with a robust calendar of community events and activities.

Also planned for summer is the 20th Anniversary March from Ellensburg to Seattle in July. A trek to commemorate the work of the last 20 years by the Greenway’s dedicated supporters, the march will celebrate the creation of the landscape and focus on ensuring its legacy in the future. Evening community events are planned along the route and will be free and open to the public.

For more information about 20th anniversary celebrations along the Greenway, visit www.mtsgreenway.org.

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. The fee for the class is $16 for members, $22 for nonmembers. To register, send your name, date of birth, class date, AAA number and a check or money order payable to:

American Driving Services
P.O. Box 66681
Seattle, WA 98166-0681

You will receive a confirmation letter with all the details. If you have additional questions, call Mary Lilleness at (800) 462-3728. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or for online classes, visit www.AAA.com/insurance.

May	4	Redmond	Redmond Senior Center
	13	Seattle (Ballard)	The Vine Baptist Church
	21	Renton	Highlands Community Church
	25	Des Moines	Wesley Terrace Retirement Community
June	2	Bellevue	First United Methodist Church
	4	Tacoma	The Villas at Union Park
	10	Vancouver	Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
	18	Renton	Highlands Community Church
	25	Lynnwood	Edmonds Community College
July	15	Oak Harbor	How’s My Driving School, Whidbey Island (new class location)
	16	Renton	Highlands Community Church
	23	Bremerton	Westside Improvement Club
	26	Des Moines	Judson Park Retirement Community
	30	Seattle (Roosevelt)	Calvary Christian Assembly
August	3	Redmond	Redmond Senior Center
	6	Tacoma	The Villas at Union Park
	9	Chehalis	Woodland Estates Retirement Community
	13	West Seattle	West Seattle Christian Church
	27	Renton	Highlands Community Church

Discounts

Your AAA membership allows you to save on products and services you buy and use every day. For 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:

Tillicum Village
Tillicum Village includes an Argosy cruise to its Blake Island State Park location, a new Northwest Native American dance and an updated salmon dinner, all in a traditional cedar plank longhouse. The new 25-minute show keeps to the authenticity of the Coast Salish tribes, while simultaneously bringing dramatic 21st century video/film effects to a live theater setting that will create a unique and compelling native cultural experience for visitors. AAA members can save 10% by calling (800) 430-9001.

Sylvan Learning Center
The leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students in grades kindergarten through 12, Sylvan Learning offers AAA members a 15% discount on tuition for new enrollments; a 50% discount on the Sylvan Skills Assessment, which combines standardized tests, diagnostic tools and personal interviews; and a free one-month subscription to www.SylvanMathPrep.com for online lessons in algebra, geometry and other math disciplines. (All offers are for new enrollments only.) Go to www.AAA.com/SylvanLearning or call (877) 793-3822. Some restrictions apply.

eAutoRepair

With Mitchell 1 DIY online vehicle repair manuals, you get professional instructions and illustrations that guide you step-by-step through mechanical repair procedures, maintenance service schedules and the latest factory service tips—available for most makes and models since 1983. AAA members receive up to 30% off on subscriptions at www.AAA.com/eAutoRepair.

New AAR and AABR shops
Save 10% on standard parts and labor with a maximum savings of $30. Discount only applies to out-of-pocket expenses.

Absolute Auto Body
31 S.W. Everett Mall Way, Everett, (425) 347-4016
17830 Highway 99, Lynnwood, (425) 745-5856
Park Place LTD 13710 N.E. 20th St., Bellevue, (425) 746-5447

Bekins Moving & Storage Co.
Members receive a 10% discount on moves within the state of Washington and northern Idaho. This offer includes packing and transportation charges. Also, receive one month of free storage for items stored more than 120 days. Call (800) 497-6683 and experience a personal touch.

Assisted Transitions
Members receive 50% off a personalized, professional move management consultation fee in the greater Puget Sound area. Get relief with planning and facilitating a move, including timelines, downsizing decisions, floor planning, money saving tips, a huge network of trusted resources, emotional support and much more! Call (206) 841-6440 to make an appointment.

Reebok and Rockport Outlet Stores
Starting May 4 through May 15, AAA members will receive a discount of 40% off all ticketed items in U.S. Reebok and Rockport Outlet Stores. A valid membership card will be required at checkout. Don’t miss this exceptional offer! Discount cannot be combined with any Buy One, Get One 50% off, Buy 2 Get 3rd Free, % off, 2 For or .95 Cent Ending merchandise promotion. Additional exclusions may apply. See store for details.

Barnes & Noble
Members save 10% on a huge selection of books, CDs, DVDs, and AAA publications, and now the discount also applies to toys and games, and home and gifts when purchased online only at www.AAA.com/BarnesAndNoble.*

*AAA offer cannot be combined with the Barnes & Noble membership program or the student advantage program. Discount does not apply to the purchase of gift cards, gift wrapping, used and out of print books, textbooks, ebooks, Nook, pre-orders or B&N membership. Offer is not valid in Barnes & Noble retail stores.

Wild Waves Theme Park
AAA members who show their membership card at the front gate ticket booths will receive $3 off the general admission price of $39.99, plus tax. The 2011 Wild Waves operating season will begin weekends in May (starting May 15).