The American Automobile Association, or AAA, started in Chicago in 1902 and is known for its service to vehicles on the road.
“AAA offers peace of mind in a number of areas,” Cindy Antrican, public affairs manager for AAA said. “It’s protection for you if your vehicle breaks down and for travel.”
Antrican came to Sinclair Community College during the Jump Start Your Career event to inform students of what AAA could offer.
She said road service alone is enough to look into AAA because of the benefits they provide for members, including tire, battery, towing and fuel service.
As an example, she said if a student finds their car not starting because the battery has died, they can call AAA and they will bring a battery that will have a six-year warranty after payment.
Different memberships include the Classic, Plus, Premier and My Way. Each membership ranges in services provided.
Antrican said students and young professionals under the age of 30 are eligible for a $44 per year My Way membership.
“That membership offers what we call a safe-tow that is free,” she said. “If you’re out with your friends and maybe you’ve had a couple drinks and aren’t sure if you should be driving — don’t.”
Antrican said the towing services provided apply to the individual with the membership and not the car.
“If you call and say you need help and you are broken down, it doesn’t matter whose car your in,” she said. “You get the same service regardless.”
If a student is planning to go out of town, AAA advises them to be diligent about their personal security and surroundings, leave a copy of their ID and any other formal documentation at home in case it is lost of stolen when traveling and give their vehicles a tune-up if they plan to drive to their destination.
Antrican also advises those planning on traveling once the nice weather hits to know traffic laws in different areas because they can differ from state to state.
“When you travel from state to state the laws may change and vary,” she said. “In Ohio, if your windshield wipers are on, your headlights must be on.”
A Digest of Motor Laws is provided online at drivinglaws.aaa.com for those who are interested in finding out the laws and rules for driving a motor vehicle in the United States and Canada.
AAA also does a lot behind the scenes, ranging from automotive, health and wellness, dining and shopping discounts, according to Antrican.
“If you travel at all you can recoup the value of your membership in discounts,” she said. “We have a huge network of partners.”
Members can get discounts ranging from shoes to medical prescriptions, according to the AAA website.
Ultimately Antrican believes that the benefits of AAA cannot only be enjoyable for members, but can also save lives if drivers are aware of the laws.
“I think overall our traffic safety message can save lives,” she said. “Safety, no matter where you are, should not take a vacation.”