By: Andrew Koch ~Campus News Editor~
Representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), a not-for-profit vehicle service organization, visited Xavier on Feb. 24 to discuss safety issues with college students looking to travel over spring break.
AAA also provided a “Know Before You Go” document that lists laws that might impact students as they travel, many of which vary from state-to-state. For example, seatbelts are required for all passengers over the age of 7 in Kentucky, while they are only required for front seat passengers over the age of 15 in Ohio. Students can find a full list of travel laws for all 50 states at drivinglaws.aaa.com.
AAA, which has more than 54 million members nationwide, provides towing services and roadside assistance to members for an annual fee. The group offers a discounted “AAA My Way” membership that is designed for college students.
Given the potential safety hazards associated with spring break traveling, AAA administrators hoped to ensure that students take caution while traveling.
“Just having that AAA membership gives students and their parents peace of mind as they travel,” AAA Corporate Public Affairs Manager Cheryl Parker said.
Other organizations, like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), also offer safety advice for spring breakers. On its website, the CDC advises travelers to limit their drinking and assign designated drivers in advance. In addition to traveling recommendations, the CDC encourages high school and college students to take safety precautions in other ways, such as applying sunscreen to prevent severe burns and using protection to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
While many students will be traveling to beaches, more than 150 Xavier students will be partaking in the university’s Alternative Breaks program over spring break. The Alternative Breaks program offers students a week of service-learning that partners them with faculty members to explore one of a variety of social justice topics, such as discrimination issues and justice in the American prison system.
Some of these year’s trips will go to Louisville, Kentucky, Austin, Texas, and Jamaica.