There's no doubt about it: AAA members feel strongly that our country should rely less on petroleum fuels. Ninety-eight percent of you told us so in a 2008 survey, and more than half of you said you plan to back up that conviction by switching to a hybrid or more fuel-efficient car. Your top three reasons? To save money on gas, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and protect the environment.

Even if you don't have a hybrid on your shopping list, there is plenty you can do right now to conserve gas and be a greener driver. We're here to help, starting with the tips and information at AAA.com/greenerdriving. At the state and national levels, AAA is working to promote energy independence, clean up the environment, and slow down global climate change.

Our Greenlight initiative focuses on increasing awareness and encouraging the development of alternative vehicles and fuels. AAA has already awarded Greenlight grants totaling more than $100,000 to organizations such as the Utah Clean Cities Coalition (for the conversion of a school bus to run on cleanburning compressed natural gas) and to the University of Nevada-Reno (for research on turning coffee grounds into biodiesel fuel). Our partnership with UC-Davis at its Institute of Transportation Studies includes a groundbreaking project to help bring plugin hybrids to the mass market. To learn more about alternative fuels and vehicles, visit AAA.com/greenlight.

At the national level, AAA champions alternative energy options to help end our collective dependence on foreign oil. We stand behind higher vehicle mileage standards and urged early implementation of those improvements. We also support federal incentives such as last summer's Cash for Clunkers program as well as tax credits for purchasing hybrid, electric, fuel cell, and other types of alternative-fuel vehicles.

The road to reducing our nation's use of fossil fuels won't be easy or direct. We'll all have to make adjustments, explore new avenues, and rethink the way we drive. But the reward will come in personal savings, cleaner air, and the long-term health of our planet.

Good Directions

ROAD SHOWS GO GREEN
Members receive two-for-one admission at the following shows, where AAA will exhibit new fuel options and a plugin Prius that gets over 100 mpg:

▪ Fresno, Calif., Oct. 29–Nov. 1, Central California Auto Show, $7
▪ Salt Lake City, Nov. 6–7, Utah Women's Show, $7
▪ San Francisco, Nov. 26–Dec. 2, S.F. International Auto Show, $8
▪ Las Vegas, Nov. 27–29, Motor Trend International Auto Show, $8

To buy tickets and see more dates, visit AAA.com/roadshow.

SO TELL US
According to a survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, some nine out of 10 drivers consider text messaging behind the wheel a serious danger, yet two in 10 admit having done it. What distracted driving behavior do you engage in—but plan to stop?

▪ Texting
▪ Talking on a cell phone
▪ Shaving or applying makeup
▪ Eating

YOU SPOKE
In our September/ October issue we asked what you see as the best way to get more people driving alternative-fuel vehicles. You answered:

▪ make such cars more affordable (46 percent)
▪ make them in more designs and sizes (39 percent)
▪ raise awareness through public education (15 percent)

Surprisingly, none of our respondents supported the fourth option in the poll, which was to offer more incentives such as tax credits and access to car pool lanes.