MILESTONES
AAMVA Celebrates 75 Years
Oct. 1, 2007 marked the first day of a year-long celebration of a major milestone for AAMVA—its 75th anniversary.
“AAMVA has been around for 75 years designing and recommending sound and consistent practices in motor vehicle administration—practices that have undoubtedly saved the lives of countless motorists,” said Neil Schuster, AAMVA President and CEO. “But it’s only been in the last seven years or so that AAMVA evolved publicly into a major league player in the highway safety and ID security sectors. So it’s fitting that we should take this time to reflect on some of those past accomplishments that have brought our association to this point in history.”
To help celebrate this milestone and to house “all things related to AAMVA 75,” the association has devoted a special section of its Web site to the 75th Anniversary celebration. Here, AAMVA will post special Web features and white papers that illustrate the community’s significant contributions in driver’s licensing, vehicle registration and titling, and law enforcement. In addition, the site hosts a special blog for comments from past AAMVA chairs. Log onto www.aamva.org to check out the new features and sign the guestbook!
The 75th Anniversary celebration will reach its culmination with special activities during the Annual International Conference, hosted by Chair of the Board Glenn Turner in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 24–27, 2008.
MEETINGS
AIC 2007: One for the Ages
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Just as the faces of four Presidents on Mt. Rushmore, and a few miles away the legendary Native American Crazy Horse, are indelibly carved in stone in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, so too the memory of the 74th AAMVA Annual International Conference (AIC) is etched in the minds of attendees.
With the same Black Hills backdrop, Rapid City to be exact, AIC attendees literally “lived” the conference theme of “Communicate, Collaborate: Face the Future Together.” Through participation in conference sessions, visiting the exhibition and networking with motor vehicle agency peers from across North America, AIC attendees were communicating and collaborating.
The August conference was planned and organized by 2006-2007 AAMVA Chair Debra Hillmer and staff from South Dakota, with the support and assistance of AAMVA headquarters. The conference culminated Hillmer’s year as chair, where she furthered her strong message of encouraging all sectors of the community to work together to ensure future success during times of challenge and change.
Highlights of the AIC included:
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The Chair’s gavel was turned over to Glenn Turner, Chief of Staff of the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles.
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In addition to Turner, the membership elected George Valverde, Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Charles O’Donnell, Registrar of Motor Vehicles for the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety, and Beverly Neth, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles to the AAMVA executive committee.
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Neil Schuster, who joined AAMVA as President and CEO in August, gave the membership report. Schuster was formerly President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.
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Michael Jackson, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, spoke at the conference, outlining how DHS and state motor vehicle agencies can work closely together to implement Real ID.
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AIC attendees learned about progress in creating the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to reduce fraud. The system currently
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The AIC program featured sessions on motorcycle safety, young driver safety issues, and town hall meetings on issues relating to drivers, enforcement and vehicles.
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The AIC Awards Luncheon featured award recipients in highway safety, customer service and public affairs. The AAMVA web site details the recipients.
More information and presentations can be found at www.aamva.org. Be sure to circle Aug. 24 – 27, 2008 in Orlando for AAMVA’s 75th AIC—Celebrating 75 Years of Safety and Security.
COALITIONS
Turn Around Don’t Drown
Rescue teams risking their lives to save stranded motorists on water covered roads are seen too often on the evening news. But, the National Weather Service (NWS) is working hard to saves lives and property. The NWS is promoting a new highway warning sign, compliant with the Federal Highway Administration regulations, to make motorists aware of hazardous water covered roads.
As part of a national campaign called, “Turn Around Don’t Drown,” the NWS is working with local communities to promote new yellow warning signs at locations where the incidence of flooding is high, the onset of flooding is rapid, and/or where flooding occurs in isolated locations.
Too many motorists underestimate the force and incredible power of moving water. More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Most motorists will lose control of their vehicle in six inches of water. It takes only two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles, including pickup trucks and SUVs.
Be smart when approaching a water covered road. Obey the new warning sign, “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”