Before the NMSL, AAA supported more sane speed limits bases on the prevailing speed of traffic. However, once the NMSL came about they became "goody two shoes" and duren the NMSL they strongly support 55.
Latter on, in 1992, they published a study, Did the 65 mph Speed Limit Save Lives?, that showed that the 65 mph speed limit actually saved lives and now apparently support 65 mph speed limits.
In 1995 they apparently tried to sabotage the federal speed limit repeal with alternative legislation. (But what was this legislation). The NMA issued this Press Release.
Successful in the US Senate, the NMA has shifted it's energies to passage in the House.
On the day of the first vote on the speed limit provision (Sept 7th), the American Automobile Association has attempted to undermine the speed limit repeal campaign by supporting alternative legislation, legislation developed by proponents of federal speed limits.
Despite the AAA's well-heeled campaign, the National Motorists Association prevailed in the Surface Transportation Subcommittee and repeal of the 55 mph federal speed limit was included in the House version of the National Highway System Act by a vote of 26-9!
(For more information, contact the National Motorists Association at 608-849-6000 or e-mail nma@motorists.com.)
And now they apparently support speed limits based on engineering principles. However do they really? (Pay attention to my notes in [])
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- With the repeal of the national 65-mile-per-hour speed limit, the 39-million-member American Automobile Association is urging states to proceed with caution when setting maximum speed limits.
Delegates to AAA's 93rd annual meeting here approved a national policy calling for states to rely on engineering and traffic surveys to set appropriate and enforceable speed limits.
"Even though many states have already acted," said James L. Kolstad, vice president of AAA Public and Government Relations, "we continue to believe limits should not be raised without thorough research." [Thorough? How Through is thorough]
AAA's policy calls for states at a minimum to study prevailing speeds and accident records, as well as highway, traffic, vehicle and roadside development characteristics when setting maximum speed limits. [So does this mean that insanely low speed limits in urbanized areas are justified]
These factors also should be considered when selecting speed limits for large trucks, AAA said, and may result in lower speed limits for heavy vehicles than for automobiles on interstate highways. [So they seem to definitely support a lower truck speed limit]
"Many drivers currently ignore speed limits they consider to be unreasonable," Kolstad said. "Speed limits matched to road conditions and motorists' behavior will restore respect for the law and increase compliance." [We seem to agree here]
AAA also called for states to conduct follow-up studies on the effects of speed limit increases on safety and mobility.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 112 motor clubs with more than 1,000 offices providing members in the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.
/CONTACT: Bill Jackman, 202-942-2082, or Jerry Cheske, 407-444-8000, both of American Automobile Association/
/Other AAA press releases are available through Company News On-Call by fax, 800-758-5804, extension 039252, or at http://www.prnewswire.com/
CO: American Automobile Association ST: Florida IN: AUT SU: