President and CEO of AAA to Address the Detroit Economic Club About Traffic Safety

DETROIT, Feb. 25, 2004 -- Robert Darbelnet, President and CEO, AAA, will speak to Detroit Economic Club (DEC) members and guests on Monday, March 8, 2004. The event will be held at Hyatt Regency, located in Dearborn, and will run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Darbelnet's speech is titled: "The Highway Epidemic: Condition Critical."

The World Health Organization has designated April 7, 2004 as World Health Day. The theme of this year's observance is Safe Roads. Each year more than 1.2 million people throughout the world die in motor vehicle crashes. In the United States alone, approximately 42,000 are killed annually in motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for people between the ages of birth and 34 years. Robert Darbelnet, National President and CEO of AAA, the nation's largest automobile club with more than 46-million members, will address this critical issue and the need to treat motor vehicle crashes as a serious public health epidemic.

Tickets for the event are $30 for members and spouses, and $45 for non- members. Full tables of 10 may also be reserved.

The DEC was established in 1934, and is recognized worldwide for its contribution to the discussion and promotion of economic, political and social issues. The club has nearly 2,000 members and is recognized as one of the premier economic forums in the United States.

For more information about the DEC, to order tickets, or to become a member, contact the DEC at (313) 963-8547 or toll-free 1-866-4-ECON-CLUB or email: info@econclub.org .