Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) - News Feed

Stable, long-term funding must be goal of new federal infrastructure plan: CAA

CAA — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:39:32 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association is pleased the federal government announced today it will move ahead with the development of a national infrastructure plan, and says the plan should have three goals: long-term, stable funding; an approach that respects provincial and local differences; and the inclusion of transit and bicycling infrastructure.

Today’s announcement of a formal consultation process with interested parties moves the process forward, said Jeff Walker, CAA vice-president of public affairs. CAA conducts extensive research among its 5.6 million members on attitudes toward infrastructure, road safety and other topics.

“CAA members support infrastructure investments, but they also tell us it’s not just about roads,” Walker said. “Many of our members also use transit and they bike too, and they understand these options, if properly funded and executed, make life easier for everyone on the road.”

At a recent appearance before the House of Commons transport committee, CAA said federal infrastructure solutions must also take into account the diverse nature of Canada.

“CAA is a federation of nine clubs of differing sizes and priorities, so we know that one size doesn’t fit all,” Walker said.

CAA also testified that stable, long-term funding is key, since it allows planners to do the kind of strategic thinking necessary to prepare for tomorrow’s needs rather than focusing on short-term patchwork.

“We look forward to working with Minister Lebel to ensure the voice of the road-using public is taken fully into account in this debate,” Walker concluded.

The CAA poll of 5,076 Canadians is considered accurate to within 1.38 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA and Connect Hearing Join Forces to Provide Members with Exclusive Savings

CAA — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:38:50 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association, Canada’s largest membership based organization, and Connect Hearing, Canada’s largest network of hearing professionals, have joined forces to take action against hearing loss and help CAA Members stay confident in their conversations longer.

Starting today, CAA Members will receive exclusive benefits at all Connect Hearing locations.

“We’re proud to be partnering with the CAA, with its tradition of service, value and innovation,” said Craig Cameron, CEO of Connect Hearing. “We follow a similar path, offering our customers the best professional experience and value so they enjoy their lifestyle to the fullest by hearing the people and sounds around them.”

CAA Member benefits include 15% off the price of all hearing aids and an additional $50 discount off the price of each hearing aid if a discount promotion is greater than the 15% discount. On top of always receiving the lowest price, CAA Members will also be given a five year supply of batteries along with their purchase. These savings are on top of the standard benefits all Connect Hearing customers receive.

“CAA is excited to announce this new affiliation with Connect Hearing,” said Jamie Patterson, Manager, Partnership Programs of CAA. “Providing our Members with an opportunity to stay connected in their lives longer as well as giving them access to affordable hearing solutions is a great occasion for both organizations.”

CAA Members can call, 1-800-563-4327, or go online, connecthearing.ca/CAA, to book their first appointment. All Connect Hearing clients are eligible for a two-week no-obligation trial. Following a two-week test drive, to purchase a hearing device, CAA Members simply show their CAA card to access the exclusive benefits and savings.

About Connect Hearing:
Connect Hearing is Canada’s largest network of Registered Audiologists and professional Hearing Instrument Practitioners, on a mission for better hearing and taking action against hearing loss. Originally formed in 1978 as Island Acoustics in Victoria, B.C., Connect Hearing has now expanded to over 130 locations across the country. Connect Hearing prides itself on providing customized care and choice for all its patients and carries all major manufacturers’ hearing aids to maximize selection. Connect Hearing is part of the Sonova Group, a publicly-held Swiss company and worldwide provider of hearing solutions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA launches comprehensive smartphone app

CAA — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:38:04 GMT

OTTAWA – For the first time, Canadians will be able to request roadside assistance, search for exclusive Member savings, plan a trip with TripTik®, and more, using the new all-in-one smartphone app from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

Launched today, the app is available for Blackberry, iPhone, and Android. It’s free to download, straightforward to use, available in French and English, and is also accessible for non-Members.

“Now everyone can easily access their favourite CAA services all in one place,” saidLionel Aucoin, CAA Managing Director, E-Business. “Whether they’re looking for a place to eat locally, lodging and attractions at their next destination, or require roadside assistance, this new app is the solution.”

The CAA smartphone app allows users to easily find Member exclusive savings at over 100,000 partner locations in Canada and the United States. In addition, users can request CAA Roadside Assistance without placing a call, access insurance and automotive information, obtain instant battery quotes, and locate CAA-approved auto repair centres. Members and non-Members can also use the app to find CAA/AAA approved lodging, restaurants, events, attractions, and campgrounds.

Once downloaded, users are able to select their preferred language of communication, and enter either their membership number, or for non-members, a valid Canadian postal code. This information allows the app to deliver region-specific content to each user.

For more information and to download the new CAA all-in-one smartphone app, visit CAA.ca/mobile.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

Roads not getting safer, Canadians tell CAA

CAA — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:37:22 GMT

OTTAWA – Nine out of 10 Canadians feel no safer on the roads today than they did five years ago, according to a poll conducted for the Canadian Automobile Association.

The poll found that 45 per cent of Canadians feel less safe when they get behind the wheel than they did five years ago, while another 43 per cent said they feel neither more nor less safe. Only 9 per cent feel safer.

“Canadians are clearly not feeling safer when they drive, despite advances in in-vehicle safety technology,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice-president of public affairs.

The poll points to driver behaviour as a major contributor to this finding – 70 per cent said they believe Canadians don’t drive as safely as they used to.

The poll also asked Canadians to rank their biggest road safety concerns, and for the second year in a row texting while driving came first (83 per cent). It is followed, in order, by people driving after drinking alcohol (82%), driving aggressively (63%), talking on cell phones (62%), driving when they’re too sleepy (58%), and driving well over the speed limit (52%).

“Public education and enforcement of the law are the keys to making all of us safer on the roads,” Walker said. “That’s why we support the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, which is today.”

As part of its effort to encourage dialogue about the issue of texting while driving, particularly among youth, CAA is running a Practise Safe Txt Video Contest. CAA will also be hosting an international conference on distracted driving in Toronto on March 1st, 2012. To find out more about both of these initiatives, visit CAA.ca/distracteddriving.

For more on the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, visit rememberroadcrashvictims.ca. Examples of recent improvements in in-vehicle technology include Electronic Stability Control, introduced some years ago and made mandatory in all vehicles as of Sept. 1, 2011.

The CAA poll of 5,076 Canadians is considered accurate to within 1.38 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA Recognizes Transat Holidays as Preferred Partner of the Year

CAA National — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:36:10 GMT

MONTREAL – The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is pleased to announce thatTransat Holidays has been awarded the CAA Travel Preferred Partner of the Year award for 2011.

Transat Holidays was nominated by CAA Club travel consultants across Canada for its commitment to quality and value of product, superior sales representatives, and exceptional customer service.

“This award truly recognises Transat’s willingness to adapt to different market conditions and their commitment to offering a consistently high level of product and service to members,” said Brenda Kyllo, CAA VP of Travel, in making the presentation at the CAA “Partners in Progress” Travel Conference held in Montreal November 1-3, 2011.

Three additional travel partners received special recognition: AmaWaterways, for continually offering distinct and innovative products, Disney Parks and Resorts for its knowledgeable and helpful reservation staff and Insight Vacations for its ability to work with CAA Clubs to provide tailor-made local marketing and promotional campaigns.

“I would like to thank all of our Preferred Travel Partners for their support and willingness to work closely with the CAA Clubs to make progress in Canada’s challenging travel environment,” Kyllo said.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

Test Drive digital magazine gathers best new-car information in one place

CAA National — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:35:08 GMT

ONTARIO – Real car advice for people who drive real cars – that’s the core of Test Drive, an exciting new digital magazine launched today by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and produced by Totem Communications Group.

Test Drive provides unbiased information on many of the new cars, trucks and SUVs available for sale in Canada. In addition to reviews of nearly 50 vehicles, Test Drive features information on safety, green driving, and automotive design and technology. It also showcases AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year Award candidates.

“When Canadians are researching new vehicles, they need information they can trust,” says Paul Ferriss, editor of Test Drive and CAA Magazine. “Thanks to the work of AJAC journalists, they can now find that valuable information in the pages of Test Drive.”

Every year, AJAC members test and review new vehicles in a rigorous, unbiased process that results in one vehicle being named the Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY). Thanks toTest Drive, Canadian new car buyers can now have all that vehicle information in one place.

“AJAC is very excited about the online release of Test Drive magazine,” said Clare Dear, AJAC President. “These impartial results will help Canadians looking to purchase a new vehicle make informed decisions about which product best suits their individual needs, making it a valuable resource for consumers.”

“CAA is all about delivering the best, balanced information to our members on issues they care about, and Test Drive is a great example of that,” said Jeff Walker, CAA Vice President of Public Affairs.

To download your digital copy of Test Drive magazine, go to www.testdrivemagazine.ca and be sure to follow Test Drive on Facebook.

About AJAC
AJAC is an association of professional writers, publishers and photographers whose focus is the automobile and the automotive industry. AJAC, a not-for-profit professional organization incorporated in 1981, was established to encourage unity among journalists who specialize in reporting on the automobile. AJAC manages the annual Canadian Car of the Year awards program.

About Totem
Totem creates branded content and custom-media programs by combining best-in-class journalism and marketing talent to build meaningful customer relationships and drive clients' business objectives. Totem has offices in Toronto and New York and is part of Transcontinental Inc.'s Media Sector. Totem's North American client roster includes Procter & Gamble, The Home Depot, Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), Sobeys, Groupe Aeroplan, GEICO , Acura and more. Totem has won more than 170 national and international awards. For more information about Totem and to view its portfolio, please visit totembrandstories.com

About Transcontinental
Transcontinental creates marketing products and services that allow businesses to attract, reach and retain their target customers. The Corporation is the largest printer in Canada and the fourth-largest in North America. As the leading publisher of consumer magazines and French-language educational resources, and of community newspapers in Quebec and theAtlantic provinces, it is also one of Canada's top media groups. Transcontinental is also the leading door-to-door distributor of advertising material in Canada through its celebrated Publisac network in Quebec and Targeo in the rest of Canada. Thanks to a wide digital network of more than 1,000 websites, the company reaches over 11.3 million unique visitors per month in Canada. Transcontinental also offers interactive marketing products and services that use new communication platforms supported by marketing strategy and planning services, database analytics, premedia, e-flyers, email marketing, custom communications and mobile solutions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA launches new vehicle technologies eBook to debunk myths

CAA National — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:14:30 GMT

OTTAWA – Responding to a public need, the Canadian Automobile Association today launched an easy-to-understand guide to how electric and hybrid vehicles work.

Written by two of Canada’s best-known automotive journalists, Gerry Malloy and Marc Lachapelle, Gas, Hybrid, and Electric: What You Need to Know offers simple but complete explanations of the spectrum of engine technologies on the market today. The illustrated eBook format makes the guide easy to navigate – it can be read cover to cover or browsed by section.

“Engine technology is getting more complicated all the time. Never mind the intricate workings of today’s gas and diesel engines – there is now more and more talk about hybrids and electrics,” said Tim Shearman, CAA President. “Sorting through the differences, and what might make sense for an individual consumer, can be a challenge.”

CAA research shows that hybrid and electric vehicles are of increasing interest to Canadians. A solid 69 per cent of Canadians say that five years from now they expect to be driving a hybrid or electric vehicle. The same nationwide CAA survey revealed many Canadians lack basic information about these vehicles, such as their actual range.

“Providing relevant, helpful information about the latest in automotive innovation is part of the DNA of the Canadian Automobile Association,” said Shearman. “We want Canadians to be informed so they can be knowledgeable automotive consumers, and we think this eBook is a good step in that direction.”

To find out more about new engine technologies or to download your copy of the CAA eBook visit: CAA.ca/newengines.

CAA’s recent poll of 5,076 Canadians is considered accurate to within 1.38 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA salutes best in road safety journalism

CAA National — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:22:09 GMT

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON – The Canadian Automobile Association is pleased to announce the winner of the second annual CAA Road Safety Journalism Award, presented last night during the awards banquet of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada.

Nadine Filion won for an article exploring the issue of driving while tired, and the tragic consequences it can have. Judges found the article combined research, interviews and good writing into a compelling story that not only discussed the issue but leaves readers with practical tips as well.

“This article is a great example of providing Canadians with all the tools they need to make informed decisions on the road, something that CAA also works hard to do,” said Tim Shearman, CAA President. “We’re pleased that our sponsorship of this award allows us to highlight the good work being done by automotive journalists to inform and educate the public.”

The winning article originally appeared in CAA-Québec’s Touring magazine, a fact the judges did not know when they made the selection, but which points to the quality of the journalism in Touring and the other magazines operated by CAA clubs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA Recognizes Excellence of National Partners with Inaugural Awards

CAA National — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:12:43 GMT

HALIFAX – The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is pleased to announce the inaugural winners of three new awards that recognize outstanding achievements by our national partners.

Best Western Hotels has been awarded the CAA Partner of the Year award for their success in exceeding all CAA partner program standards, which include overall performance, product, service, sales, and marketing efforts.

NAPA Auto Parts has received the CAA Performance Award, which highlights outstanding program sales results over the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Luxottica Group has been awarded the CAA Community Care Award for their work with OneSight, a family of charitable programs founded by Luxottica to provide improved vision to the millions in need worldwide through outreach efforts, research and education.

The awards were presented at a recent meeting of CAA corporate partners in Halifax.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA urges young Canadians to Practise Safe Txt

CAA National — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:16:17 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association is launching a campaign today to get young Canadians talking about the dangers of texting while driving.

CAA research shows texting while driving is the number one road safety concern of Canadians, surpassing even impaired driving, and those most likely to text and drive are youth.

“Today’s young people are the first to grow up with smart phones and instant, constant communication via texting devices,” says Jeff Walker, CAA vice president, public affairs. “They need to realize the danger that exists when you take that culture behind the wheel.”

To get youth talking about the issue, CAA today launched its “Practise Safe Txt” video contest that will award prizes for the best short videos that show why it’s important not to text and drive. All entries will be available online.

The $3,000 first prize will be awarded at a major distracted driving conference CAA is planning for spring 2012 in Toronto. There will also be prizes for finalists – and even for those who vote for their favourite videos – all in a bid to get the highest possible number of people viewing the videos and discussing the issue.

“We need a cultural shift, like the one that happened a generation or two ago with drinking and driving,” says Walker. “It used to be OK to drink and drive, and now it’s viewed as totally unacceptable. That’s where we need to get to with texting and driving, particularly with the generation that is just coming of driving age now.”

Details on the video contest are available at CAA.ca/safetxt.

CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEGEND JOINS FORCES WITH CAA TO PROMOTE SCHOOL SAFETY

CAA National — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:45:26 GMT

OTTAWA - As students make their way back to the classroom this fall, many will be assisted by one of the 100,000 dedicated student volunteers who participate in the Canadian Automobile Association’s School Safety Patrol™ program.

CAA is proud to have joined forces this year with Jennifer Botterill 3-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time world champion hockey star, and former CAA School Safety Patroller, to spread the word about Canada’s longest running school safety program, and to provide ‘back-to-school’ safety tips for parents and students.

“I still remember to this day the sense of responsibility, pride, and leadership I felt looking out for my classmates,” said Botterill. “The dedication which the CAA School Safety Patrol Program instilled in me helped to shape many of my core beliefs even before I reached for Olympic gold.”

The CAA School Safety Patrol Program is a community-based partnership that brings together students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and traffic safety partners. CAA is proud to have been there since the inception of the program in 1929. CAA School Safety Patrollers dedicate more than five million volunteer hours annually to ensure their fellow students commute to and from school safely.

“At CAA, we are honoured to support one of the most visible national safety programs on the road,” said Tim Shearman, CAA President. “Our patrollers serve as role models for younger kids, while creating awareness with motorists to be cautious of pedestrian and cyclist traffic around school zones.”

Due to increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic around school zones the CAA School Safety Patrol Program is more important than ever to ensure that kids are safely getting to and from school.

According to a recent CAA survey, nearly 40% of Canadians say that they have noticed more unsafe driving practices within school zone areas over the past year. In order to ensure everyone makes it to and from school safely, here are five top Back-to-School safety tips to follow all year long:

Lead by example when it comes to safely crossing the street.
Park in a safe location and use caution when driving along school routes.
Observe and obey school zone speeds.
Please respect CAA School Safety Patrollers and adult crossing guards. They work hard to ensure everyone’s safety.
Every time you see a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, you must stop - regardless of the direction you are travelling.
Be prepared to stop at any time. Young children can be easily distracted and may not notice on-coming traffic.

For more on Jennifer Botterill’s experience with the CAA School Safety Patrol Program, view her video at CAA.ca/schoolsafety. To find our more about Jennifer Botterill please visitwww.jenniferbotterill.com or follow her on Twitter at @JenBotterill.

For more information on a CAA School Safety Patrol Program in your community, please contact your local CAA Club.

CAA provides consumers with tool to calculate the costs of driving

CAA National — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:59:10 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has released an updated version of its Driving Costs interactive guide that provides consumers with a comprehensive look at the price of owning a vehicle.

The 2011 Driving Costs brochure explains the overall costs of vehicle ownership, including fuel, maintenance, and depreciation. To help consumers understand these costs for different types of vehicles, the guide provides approximate costs for owning 2011 models of a representative small sedan, a minivan, and a hybrid vehicle. The brochure allows for consumers to calculate their own total annual driving costs based on national averages and approximate figures.

“Driving is one of the largest expenses for most people and we want consumers to have the necessary tools to be able to understand their real costs,” says Jeff Walker, vice president, public affairs.

Walker points out that while the costs of driving may be high, consumers can take steps to keep costs down. These include comparing the prices of competitors for automotive services and parts, and adopting driving habits that will save fuel.

“By changing the way you drive just a bit, you can reduce your fuel consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money,” says Walker.

For fuel saving driving tips and to access CAA’s web-based 2011 Driving Costs brochure, please visit CAA.ca.

CAA’s 2011 Driving Costs brochure is based on data from Runzheimer International Inc., a management consulting firm dealing in business vehicle allowance programs and fleet consulting services.

Bad Driving Habits On The Rise, Canadians tell CAA

CAA National — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:38:24 GMT

OTTAWA – Three out of four Canadians say drivers are exhibiting more annoying habits than they did five years ago, according to results of a national poll released today by the Canadian Automobile Association.

Only two per cent of Canadians feel drivers are less irritating than they were five years ago, while about one in five (21%) say drivers exhibit the same number of bad driving habits compared to five years ago.

Road rage, drivers that cut other people off, and drivers that send text messages while driving are the top 3 annoying habits identified in the survey.

“It’s clear that Canadians think driving habits are getting progressively worse,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice president, public affairs. “The good news is these are all correctible behaviors. If we concentrate more on good driving habits, and on being courteous to fellow motorists, we will all benefit.”

Here is a list of the driving habits Canadians found most annoying, according to the poll:

road rage (86%)
cut people off (86%)
text while driving (85%)
follow too closely (78%)
talk on the phone (78%)
throw trash out the window (73%)
do not use turn signals (73%)
too aggressive (72%)
block intersections (67%)
speed excessively (62%)
constantly change lanes (59%)
park too close to others (54%)

The poll of 5,044 Canadians is considered accurate to within 1.38 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

Texting + Driving = Danger! F1 drivers Schumacher and Massa join CAA to warn public

CAA National — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:42:06 GMT

MONTREAL, June 9 – Two of the world’s best drivers joined hands with CAA-Québec and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) today to demonstrate that texting while driving is dangerous for everyone.

Michael Schumacher of Team Mercedes Benz and Felipe Massa of Team Ferrari climbed into a CAA-Québec driving simulator to show, in a safe environment, that even for the world’s best drivers, texting while driving can be tricky and unsafe.

"Although it may seem obvious to say that texting while driving is dangerous, far too many drivers are ready to run the very potent risk of causing an accident. According to studies on the subject, it seems that the risk of being implicated in a serious or fatal accident is 23 times likelier for drivers using test messaging while driving", Mr. Yvon Lapointe, Director of Traffic Safety for CAA-Québec, reminds us.

According to a CAA poll, texting while driving is the number one road safety concern of Quebecers and Canadians. CAA and its clubs want all Canadians to understand the danger and to put their cell phones aside when they drive.

“Our research shows this has become a huge concern, and it’s easy to see why,” said Tim Shearman, CAA President. “Texting while driving is an all-too-common habit, but we know it can kill.”

The demonstration took place at La Ronde, a CAA-Québec partner, where CAA-Québec members and the media could also see for themselves the dangers while driving in a safe atmosphere, by trying to text while driving a go-kart.

The event marked the Canadian launch of the FIA Action for Road Safety, an international effort to cut worldwide road casualties in half by 2020. The Féderation internationale de l’automobile was a sponsor of the initiative, and was on hand to support the demonstration. Michael Schumacher is the FIA’s official Road Safety Ambassador.

CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential and financial services and privileges to its 1.1 million members. It is also very active in the area of road safety.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

Ample Opportunity for Progress on the Bike-Car Relationship in Canada

CAA National — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:24:18 GMT

VANCOUVER – Better infrastructure, more emphasis on driver and cyclist safety, and increased dialogue are the three ingredients for progress on the bike-car relationship, panellists said today at a national conference organized by the Canadian Automobile Association.

Changing Lanes: Improving the Bike-Car Relationship on Canada’s Roads was organized by CAA in conjunction with the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) to tackle these issues. Over 100 national and international speakers and participants debated infrastructure, safety and business topics.

“We are in the early stages of an issue that every jurisdiction in Canada will need to deal with,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice president of public affairs. “We are learning from experts inCanada and internationally where the gaps are, where best practices can be found, and how to implement change in a constructive way”.

Video proceedings of the conference will be made available in the coming days atCAA.ca/changinglanes. CAA will also be producing text materials for the public and experts based on the discussions.

As part of its commitment to improving the bike-car relationship, CAA is developing a web learning tool for driving schools across the country, to educate drivers on how to deal with bicycles on the road, as well as a new web learning tool for cyclists that offers short tutorials on the rules of the road, signalling and safety equipment. It is aimed both at beginning cyclists and those who feel they need a refresher before heading out on the road.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA Seeks to Find Common Ground Between Cyclists, Drivers, and Governments

CAA National — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:01:19 GMT

VANCOUVER – The Canadian Automobile Association is bringing drivers, cyclists and experts together for a one-day national conference to discuss ways to enable cyclists and drivers to get along better on Canada's roadways.

Canadians, including the 5.6 million members of CAA coast-to-coast, are faced with the challenges of bike-car coexistence, whether they are behind the wheel or behind their handlebars. The “Changing Lanes” conference will provide a forum for dialogue, focusing on solutions to make the relationship safer and better for all.

“Across the country, communities of all sizes are grappling with infrastructure, education and safety issues as more bikes, cars and transit vehicles co-exist on Canada’s roadways. There is and will be enormous pressure placed on our transportation infrastructure, and Canadian cities need to prepare,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice president of public affairs. “We believe there are important lessons to be learned from experts who work on these issues here in Canada and internationally, and we want to facilitate a conversation about how we move forward together.”

According to a poll conducted for the CAA by Harris/Decima Research, 33% of Canadians said they would consider switching to a bicycle to commute at least part of the time. However, in the same survey, 55% also said they don’t feel safe biking on Canada’s roads – and that the number one issue for them was the lack of infrastructure to accommodate cyclists.

“Changing Lanes: Improving the Bike-Car Relationship on Canada’s Roads” will be held next Wednesday, May 25th in Vancouver in cooperation with the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA). The conference will be webcast, including a feature to allow out-of-town participants to ask questions.

Leading national and international speakers including city planners, transportation experts, cycling advocates, and business representatives will discuss the latest thinking on infrastructure, safety and the opportunities and costs for business arising from changing transportation patterns.

“Our members have clearly told us that this is an issue of concern to them. As we move towards more sustainable forms of transportation, it’s critical to ensure both the services and education people need to travel safely are easily available,” Walker said.

CAA has long been an advocate for the safety and infrastructure concerns of its members. Several CAA clubs, including BCAA, offer Bike Assist – emergency roadside assistance for bicycle breakdowns – as part of their basic membership package.

An agenda and list of speakers for the Changing Lanes conference is attached. Further information, including how to access the webcast, is at CAA.ca/changinglanes.

CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA pledges support for international Decade of Action for Road Safety

CAA National — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:13:03 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association announced today that it is joining the Decade of Action for Road Safety, a movement to drive down the number of road deaths and injuries worldwide.

May 11 has been designated the kickoff date for the 2011-2020 Decade of Action, which grew out of a declaration unanimously approved by the United Nations. Major motoring associations such as the American Automobile Association (AAA), the Fédération Internationale de l’automobile (FIA), and CAA are pledged to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

“CAA has been advocating for greater road safety for more than a century and this work will continue,” said Tim Shearman, CAA president. “The Decade allows us to combine forces with our international colleagues to bring even greater focus to this issue that is literally of life-and-death importance.”

A Canadian is killed on our roads about once every four hours, while around the world someone is killed or injured every six seconds. Meanwhile, a recent CAA poll found 42 per cent of 4,000 respondents feel less safe on Canadian roads than they did five years ago, while fully 60 per cent feel drivers are worse today than in the past.

“There is clearly a lot more work to be done, both here in Canada and around the world,” Shearman said. “The aim of the Decade, to reduce road fatalities and injuries, is one we can all get behind.”

CAA initiatives on road safety include frequent bulletins to members and the public about road safety issues, information on safe driving techniques available on club websites, CAA School Safety Patrol in many jurisdictions, and support for mandatory electronic stability control, texting while driving laws, improved infrastructure and other provincial and federal government programs.

More information on the international Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/en/index.html.

About the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)

Inspired by the evolving interests of over 5 million CAA Members, we help provide peace of mind to our Members through 9 automobile Clubs and 140 offices located across the country. CAA membership provides access to an ever-expanding range of innovative and reliable products and services; exceptional Roadside Assistance, Automotive and Travel Services, Member Savings, and comprehensive Insurance services. CAA also advocates on Member issues of concern, including road safety, the environment, mobility, and infrastructure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

CAA provides party positions on key issues ahead of 2011 federal election

CAA National — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:23:18 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association today released the positions of the five major political parties on key issues of concern to our members and the general public.

The results show the parties’ views on the future of infrastructure spending in Canada, how they will support more fuel efficient options for Canadian drivers, and what they are prepared to do about high airport taxes and fees paid by air travelers. Voters will find in a handy, concise chart the positions of the Bloc Québecois, Conservatives, Greens, Liberals and New Democrats.

“We’re providing this information as a public service so Canadians who share our concerns in these key areas can inform themselves and help make up their minds how to vote in Monday’s election,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice president public affairs and chief strategy officer.

“These are by no means the only issues of concern for Canadians, but they should be on the table. We look forward to working with all parties after the election to implement as many of these good ideas as possible,” Walker added.

CAA recently released data that showed more than half of Canadians believe the state of Canada’s roads and highways is “getting worse”, despite substantial recent federal investments. We also know from surveying our members that they are looking to government to help promote more fuel efficient options in the marketplace, and that they feel airport taxes and fees are too high.

About the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)
Inspired by the evolving interests of over 5 million CAA Members, we help provide peace of mind to our Members through 9 automobile Clubs and 140 offices located across the country. CAA membership provides access to an ever-expanding range of innovative and reliable products and services; exceptional Roadside Assistance, Automotive and Travel Services, Member Savings, and comprehensive Insurance services. CAA also advocates on Member issues of concern, including road safety, the environment, mobility, and infrastructure.

For further information, or to book an interview with Jeff Walker, please contact:

Alayne Crawford
Manager of Public Affairs
613-796-9404
acrawford@national.caa.ca

Infrastructure deficit remains a concern for Canadians

CAA National — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:41:59 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association released data today that showed more than half of Canadians believe the state of Canada’s roads and highways is “getting worse”, despite substantial recent federal investments, and called on federal political parties to redouble their efforts to address the issue.

Nationwide, (50%) of Canadians say the state of Canada’s road and highway infrastructure is “getting worse”, while only 12% believe it is “getting better.”
While 42% of Canadians say that infrastructure investments made over the past two years under the federal Conservative government have improved road and highway infrastructure in their communities, another 45% say they have not observed improvements.
Twice as many Canadians say their commute times have increased (24%) rather than decreased (11%) over the past five years – causing a negative impact on the economy, the environment, and quality of life.

“Infrastructure is the lifeblood of our economy and transportation system, and Canadians know there remains a substantial infrastructure deficit across the country”, said Jeff Walker, VP public affairs for the CAA.

“Now is the time for political leaders to embrace this challenge in a cohesive, innovative way. We need a long-term plan, inclusive of roads and highways, transit, cyclist and pedestrian needs, and one that will integrate state-of-the-art technological systems and practices into Canada’s infrastructure.”

CAA’s online survey of 5,000 Canadians included 4,000 CAA members and 1,000 non-members.

CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

For further information or to book an interview with Jeff Walker today, please contact:

Alayne Crawford
Manager, Public Affairs
acrawford@national.caa.ca
613-796-9404

Two national associations join forces to benefit Canadian motorists

CAA National — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:22:11 GMT

AJAC (the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) and CAA (the Canadian Automobile Association) are pleased to announce they have formed a partnership that will provide Canadian consumers with better access to factual, ethical and honest information on automotive topics that matter to them.

The two organizations will collaborate on initiatives such as conferences and awareness campaigns on the impact of driving distractions and helping cyclists and vehicles co-exist safely on our roadways. A web-based publication to inform consumers about new engine technologies is already in the works, and plans for several demonstration events for consumers are being drafted.

AJAC is an association of professional writers, publishers and photographers whose focus is the automobile and the automotive industry. AJAC, a not-for-profit professional organization incorporated in 1981, was established to encourage unity among journalists who specialize in reporting on the automobile. AJAC manages the annual Canadian Car of the Year awards program.

For further information regarding this release, please contact:

Clare Dear
AJAC President
519-473-0033
c. 519-636-1663

Jeff Walker
CAA Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief Strategy Officer
613-863-8793

CAA & Teleflora - Sharing the Love for Valentine’s Day!

CAA National — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:21:26 GMT

OTTAWA, February 1, 2011 - Members will now receive 20% in CAA Dollars® on their floral purchases with Teleflora, the world’s leading flower wire delivery service, and an additional 5% in CAA Dollars during four peak holiday periods, which include Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the fast-approaching Valentine’s Day.
“We are very excited about this new partnership with Teleflora, and are always looking to provide more ways for our Members to save,” said Lucy Imperiale, Managing Director, National Programs & Strategies. This is the newest of over 300 savings partners with special offers available exclusively to CAA Members.
“Teleflora is proud to partner with CAA, a company that provides access to an ever-expanding range of innovative and reliable products and services by offering its members our one-of-a-kind floral arrangements. Everybody loves to receive a bouquet, and Teleflora has something for everyone no matter what the reason or occasion. With a network of 16,000 local florists, Teleflora will be able to meet all of CAA Members flower buying needs,” said Jim Morris, Director Partnership Development at Teleflora.
By shopping through the dedicated, bilingual website (teleflora.com/caa) or by calling
1-866-488-4628 toll-free, 24 hours a day, CAA Members can have flowers and gifts hand-delivered by a network of local florists across North America and in many countries around the world. Since Members will earn CAA Dollars for all their purchases, this partnership will make sending flowers to loved-ones even more rewarding.

About CAA Dollars
CAA Members can earn CAA Dollars with participating partners that can be used towards renewing CAA memberships, or buying great CAA products and services, including travel, luggage, movie tickets, and more. To learn about ways you can save with CAA and its retail, entertainment, and travel partners, visit CAA.ca/savings or download the CAA Savings App for iPhone and iPod touch users at CAA.ca/mobile.

About Teleflora
Teleflora is the world’s leading flower delivery service connecting customers with the nation’s best local florists for more than 75 years. All of Teleflora’s flower arrangements are artistically arranged and hand-delivered in keepsake vases using only the freshest flowers available through its member florist network. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Teleflora has over 16,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. Through its extensive member florist network, The company offers consumers fast, convenient and high-quality flowers and keepsake products.

Decline in road fatalities good news, but areas of concern emerge

CAA National — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:19:26 GMT

OTTAWA – The Canadian Automobile Association applauds the decline in national road fatalities reported today by the federal government, but warns there are danger signs ahead.

Government figures released today show national road fatalities declined to their lowest level in almost six decades in the most recent year reported, 2008. That was a 12 per cent decline, to 2,419, from the previous year.

CAA vice president Jeff Walker attributed the reduction to better safety features in vehicles and the success of public education efforts, as well as to committed enforcement from Canada’s policing agencies.

“It’s taken a concerted effort to start moving the stats in the right direction, and we need to keep that momentum going,” Walker said.

CAA notes that despite the positive trend, areas of concern remain. Distracted driving is a key problem that needs more focus. In particular, texting while driving is an increasing phenomenon that has become the Number One road safety concern of Canadians according to CAA research. Similarly, impaired driving remains a concern, and encompasses not just drinking before driving but also consuming drugs.

“CAA is encouraged by recent legislative moves in many provinces to deal with distracted driving, but we would like to see more consistent legislation,” Walker said. “And on the public education front, more needs to be done, especially in getting the message out to youth that it’s not okay to text and drive.”

The government report can be found here.

One in Four Canadians Admit to Driving Intoxicated in Last Year

CAA National — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:18:46 GMT

Nearly one quarter - 24 per cent - of Canadians have gotten behind the wheel in the last year believing they were above or near the legal limit for impaired driving, a poll for the Canadian Automobile Association has found.

The result comes despite another finding of the national poll, that a whopping 98 per cent of respondents believe drinking and driving is unacceptable.

“People know they shouldn’t drink and drive, but an alarming number of us still do,” said Jeff Walker, CAA vice president and chief strategy officer. “The temptation is highest at this time of year, but Canadians need to listen to their conscience and not drink and drive.”

A designated driver, calling a taxi or using public transit are all ways to avoid a potentially deadly accident due to drinking and driving, Walker added.

Among the findings of the poll of 2,000 Canadians, which is considered accurate to within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20:

Opinion is virtually unanimous that drinking and driving is unacceptable. Nationally, fully 98% of respondents expressed this view, while 92% said it was completely unacceptable. Virtually no one (1%) felt that drinking and driving is acceptable. This opinion is shared from coast to coast with no less than 96% in any region calling drinking and driving unacceptable.

Despite this strong opposition to drinking and driving, nearly one in four Canadians admits that in the last year, they drove when their blood alcohol level was above or close to the legal limit. Nationally, 24% of respondents admit to driving under these circumstances at least once. Most (22%) say they had done so only once (9%) or rarely (13%). Just 2% said they had driven under these conditions fairly often. Residents of Quebec, those under the age of 35, and men were most likely to say they had driven when they thought their blood alcohol level was near or above the legal limit.

About the same number say they have driven after having a drink. Nationally, 28% said this, with 12% saying they had done so one or two times, 8% saying they had done so 3 to 5 times, and 8% saying they had done so six or more times. Women were more likely than men to say they had not had a drink before driving in the last year, while residents west of Ontario were most likely to say they had, compared to their eastern counterparts.

A Season for Savings with CAA

CAA National — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:17:47 GMT

‘Tis the season for CAA members to save while doing their last-minute Christmas shopping. This year, CAA’s 5.6 million members used their membership card to save millions of dollars by taking advantage of discounts and savings at participating retailers and e-tailers.

Here are some last-minute gift-giving ideas that are exclusive to CAA members:

Want to help keep your loved ones’ spirits bright as they commute all through the year? Until December 31st, 2010, CAA members can save up to 20% on SIRIUS satellite radios while also earning up to 40 CAA Dollars® for purchasing a new subscription. To learn more about ways to save with SIRIUS satellite radio visit sirius.ca/caa.

For that special woman in your life, CAA members can shop and receive exclusive savings with Blue Nile, the largest online retailer of fine jewelry and certified diamonds.For more information visit CAA.ca/bluenile.

Put aside the baking sheets and wrapping paper for one night and enjoy an evening with friends and family at this year’s national tour of the ever popular Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsung. Stars on Ice is in its 20th year in Canada and this year’s line up includes a number of stars from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Visitstarsonice.ca/caa to learn how CAA members can save 25% off selected seats.

For those of you travelling this holiday season, don’t forget all the great accommodation rates CAA members are eligible for, including a limited time offer with Hilton Garden Inns. CAA members get 10 Hilton Fun Bucks per night to spend for each Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday night they stay at a participating hotel in Canada through January 9, 2011. Hilton Fun Bucks can be used to treat the family to breakfast, room service, and even an on-demand movie. To book your stay visithgi.com/funbucks.

And if you need to ship something in a hurry, CAA members save 15% on packing supplies and 5% on shipping at The UPS Store locations across Canada. VisitCAA.ca/theupsstore for more information.

It all starts with a CAA membership – what better way to stuff a stocking than with a membership card that provides not only peace of mind, but also unlocks all these savings and more! Visit join.caa.ca for more information.

To learn about other ways you can save with CAA and hundreds of retail, entertainment, and travel partners, visit CAA.ca/save or download the CAA Savings App for iPhone and iPod touch users at CAA.ca/mobile.

CAA is a federation of nine automobile clubs providing more than 5.6 million members with emergency roadside assistance, travel and insurance services, and member rewards. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to our members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

CAA survey finds texting while driving has risen to the top of Canadians’ driver safety concerns

CAA National — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:16:51 GMT

OTTAWA – Texting while driving has pushed ahead of impaired driving as the biggest single traffic safety concern for Canadians, a CAA poll has found.

For more than a decade, impaired driving stood alone at the top of Canadians’ traffic safety concerns. Indeed, Canadians remain just as concerned about impaired driving as they have been previously.

But texting while driving has risen to the top of the list of threats to their personal safety on the road.

“This is a remarkable development in a relatively short time”, said Jeff Walker, CAA Vice-President of Public Affairs. “Impaired driving has long been far and away the greatest concern, and texting while driving has really only emerged as an issue over the past couple of years, as cell phones and now smartphones have become more omnipresent in our lives.”

The CAA survey also shows that young Canadians, disproportionately those under 30, are texting while driving on a frequent basis.

Seven provinces have implemented legislation banning texting while driving, but almost all these laws are relatively new.

“Legislation alone will not solve the issue. Enforcement along with public awareness and education are required, as well as a change in how we as a society view the habit,” said Mr. Walker. “It is a matter of our society making the practice of texting while driving socially unacceptable.”

The CAA poll of over 6,000 Canadians found that 85 per cent of respondents feel texting while driving is the number one road safety issue today. Impaired driving remains the number two concern, at 83 per cent. Among CAA members, the difference is even more pronounced, with 88 per cent feeling texting while driving is the greatest concern.

As well, the poll found the problem is not a lack of awareness of the laws governing this issue. Canadians of all ages are familiar with laws in their respective regions banning the practice.

“Even a moment’s distraction can be dangerous. A second or two may not seem like much, but at 50 km/hr a vehicle travels 14 meters in one second. A moment’s inattention could ruin your life, and the life of many others,” Walker said.

As part of its efforts to raise public awareness on the topic of distracted driving, CAA supports the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, to be held this year on November 17.

The CAA poll of 6,000 Canadians is considered accurate to within 1.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

CAA is a federation of nine automobile clubs providing more than 5.5 million members with emergency roadside assistance, travel and insurance services, and member rewards. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to our members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.