News You Can Use: Driving and Motorist Safety
Rebuilding America's Transportation Infrastructure
Our highways and interstates are workhorses; taking us to and from work, on vacations and move important products across the country. The 46,000 miles that make up the Interstate Highway system, on which we heavily rely, are showing pains of middle age.
A growing population, vibrant economy, increased congestion, deferred maintenance, and reluctance to boost transportation investment dollars are on a collision course. It's time to rethink what we expect of our transportation system and determine how we pay for it. AAA intends to focus its time and resources on the future, working to ensure that the voice of the motorist is not an afterthought as new transportation policies and funding proposals are put on the table for discussion.
Motor fuel taxes, which you pay every time you fill up at the gas pump, built the Interstate system and fund much of today's transportation infrastructure. But the long-term viability of motor fuel taxes is eroding as more fuel-efficient vehicles enter the marketplace and the cost of infrastructure maintenance and construction increases.
Experts tell us that fuel taxes alone will not keep pace with the demand we're placing on the system. New and innovative financing alternatives are now being discussed and implemented, particularly in the most congested parts of the country. These arrangements are complicated and do not necessarily serve the public interest.
It's important that motorists attempt to understand these proposals and hold policymakers accountable to ensure fairness, equity, and reinvestment in transportation.
Motorists will be asked to reach deeper into their wallets to pay for new financing alternatives. When the public can see evidence that projects advance real goals, they will be more receptive to solutions advanced by elected officials, whether in Washington, D.C., or state capitals across the country.
Americans cherish their mobility, and transportation is a quality-of-life issue. The future of the transportation system cannot be taken for granted -- or left to others to plan for us. The public has a responsibility to become informed and engage in this important discussion. AAA will bring these issues to your attention and will be the motorist's voice as the debate moves forward.
Motorists' Bill of Rights
The American transportation system is among the most advanced in the world. Americans value their ability to travel where they want, when they want and how they want as a quality of life issue. Because motorists pay a large share of our transportation bill, AAA, with 50 million members in the United States and Canada, is working to ensure that your voice is heard as decisions are made about the future of transportation.
AAA has created a Motorists' Bill of Rights, which are ten principles that outline a series of core values that should be reflected in a new transportation vision for our country. Discussion of long-term funding needs and options should come after a new transportation vision and purpose are defined, and embraced by the American public. Funding levels should be based on clearly identified needs and tied to performance outcomes. Motorists must receive direct and recognizable improvement to their travel experience if they are asked to pay more. And most importantly, revenue generated from taxes, fees and other pricing mechanics must be solely dedicated for transportation purposes.
The Motorist's Bill of Rights can be found in the Transportation Funding section at www.AAA.com/publicaffairs.