AAA To Release First Home Based Tool to Reduce Senior Driver Crash Risk; AAA Unveils Solution to Help Seniors Drive Safely Longer

WASHINGTON--Jan. 6, 2005--AAA

WHAT:     AAA will release a first-of-its-kind, scientifically 
          validated tool that identifies declines in functional 
          abilities that increase crash risk in older drivers and 
          provides them with the remedies to reduce that crash risk.  
          This driver screening tool can be used in the privacy of 
          one's home and its results are confidential.  It will 
          address the eight mental and physical abilities shown to be 
          the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers. 
          AAA will also release a national survey that examines the 
          concerns of senior drivers.    

WHY:      People over 65 are the fastest-growing population in the 
          United States and by 2020 there will be more than 40 million
          licensed drivers ages 65 and older.  Because of their 
          fragility, seniors have the highest crash death rate per 
          mile of everyone except teenagers.

WHO:      Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA President and CEO
          Loren Staplin, PhD, Principal, TransAnalytics
          Bella Dinh-Zarr, PhD, AAA Director of Traffic Safety Policy
          Elin Schold-Davis, American Occupational Therapists 
          Association 

          Also testimonials from senior drivers who have used the 
          screening tool.

WHEN:     January 12, 2005
          10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

WHERE:    National Press Club, FIRST AMENDMENT ROOM
          529 14TH Street, NW, Washington, D.C.