Statement by Robert L. Darbelnet, President and CEO, AAA

ORLANDO, Fla. August 10, 2007; AAA welcomes the dialogue started by President Bush and Congressional leaders on the need for increased funding for our nation's bridges and roads. It should come as a surprise to no one that we have tremendous unmet transportation infrastructure needs in this country. We have only just begun to make up for years of underinvestment, and we still have a long way to go.

The nation is at a crossroads in terms of our commitment to safe and efficient transportation for the future. It is widely recognized that more money will be required and it is fair for users of the transportation system to pay for its upkeep and expansion. But simply asking how to fund the additional effort is shortsighted. AAA agrees that we should be clear on how funds will be used before raising them. But we also believe the nation first needs a vision for transportation. Americans need to be convinced that regardless of the funding mechanism, their dollars will be targeted to enhancing safety, reducing congestion and improving reliability. That's a return on investment for which we believe the American motorist will be willing to pay.

All of us tend to take the transportation system for granted until faced with a major disruption or terrible tragedy like the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota. AAA is committed to bringing attention to what many in the transportation community have known for years. The average annual cost to maintain the country's highways and bridges for a 20-year period 2005-2024 is estimated to be $78.8 billion. The cost to further expand and rehabilitate the system is estimated to be $131.7 billion. The nation's infrastructure is clearly aging and only a substantial investment in transportation funding can stop the current trend.

Motorists deserve the government's best efforts when it comes to fixing our transportation system. For this reason, AAA developed the Motorists Bill of Rights to guide the debate going forward in Congress and in state houses across the country. The Administration has indicated what it won't do but we believe that in the end, motorists are more interested in learning what the Administration will do to fix our deteriorating infrastructure.

About AAA:

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.