As millions of Americans prepare to ring in the New Year, it is important to remember the safety precautions drivers should take during this festive season. Drive only while drug and alcohol-free, pick a designated driver for the evening, plan to take a cab or stay with a friend.

While not a nationwide program, a number of AAA clubs offer Tow-to-Go or Tipsy Tow service during certain holidays for members and nonmembers. This service is not available everywhere. Better yet - encourage family and friends to pick a designated driver before they head out on New Year's Eve.

Purchasing with Safety in Mind

A vehicle's ability to keep its occupants safe in a crash is a deciding factor for many car buyers. Through a partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, AAA offers Purchasing with Safety in Mind - a newly revamped publication that provides safety features and rollover ratings for a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks.

Digest of Motor Laws

Whether you're taking a long road trip or relocating to a new state, it can be difficult to keep track of laws addressing child safety seats, driver licensing, window tinting, trailer towing and other driving topics. With AAA's all-new online Digest of Motor Laws publication, help is just a few mouse clicks away. This free, one-of-a-kind online resource for travelers, advocates and researchers is a continuation of AAA's Digest of Motor Laws book, which was first published more than 75 years ago. A new feature of the AAA Exchange, the guide currently covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but soon will offer a customizable search feature and further information on laws and regulations in Puerto Rico and Canada's provinces and territories.

2011 Your Driving Costs

With gasoline prices above $3.50 a gallon in most parts of the country, the cost of driving is going up. But that's just one part of the vehicle-ownership equation. There also are insurance, maintenance, registration and other costs to consider, which begs the question: How much are you really paying to drive? With AAA's Your Driving Costs brochure, motorists can get a pretty good idea how much they're spending per mile, per day and even per year. In its 61st year, the publication also offers maintenance and other tips to keep your vehicle running as efficiently as possible.

• 2011 Your Driving Costs

Take the Pledge to Drive Drug- and Alcohol-Free

AAA has launched a new public safety awareness initiative that encourages motorists and passengers to take a stand against impaired driving. Join AAA in the fight to reduce drug - and alcohol-impaired driving by visiting www.TakeThePledge.AAA.com and taking the pledge to support a culture of zero tolerance for impaired driving. You can easily help spread the word to family, friends and others via social media and personalized e-cards.

AAA Launches Keys2Drive Website

AAA empowers parents to get involved as their teens learn to drive with the launch of its new Keys2Drive website. The interactive site provides extensive, state-specific information based on where they live and where they are in the learning process -- from preparing to drive (pre-permit) through the learner's permit and solo driving.

Among the many interactive features, Keys2Drive features AAA StartSmart, a program that has been scientifically shown to help parents improve teen driver safety. Some of the topics covered include:

• Nighttime driving
• Distracted driving
• Alcohol and other drugs

Parents will find information about their state graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems, tips for selecting a driving school, a downloadable parent-teen driving agreement and tools for choosing the right vehicle for a teen. Parents will also learn more about some of the common risks associated with teen drivers, along with tips for improving their safety.

Everything You Need to Know.
When You Need It.
All in One Place.
Visit TeenDriving.AAA.com

AAA Urges States to Ban Texting While Driving

With 2011 state legislative sessions convening across the country, AAA, as part of a nationwide campaign, is urging lawmakers to consider bans on text messaging by all drivers. As of January 1, 30 states and the District of Columbia had enacted laws addressing this dangerous behavior.

Based on ample research illustrating the severely degrading effect texting has on driving performance, AAA believes the practice presents a clear and persistent danger to everyone on the road.

As part of its Traffic Safety Culture Index released in 2010, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that 24 percent of survey respondents admitted to texting while driving during the last month. Nonetheless, research consistently shows high public support for laws against this behavior, ranging from 80 percent to 97 percent.

To learn more about AAA's efforts to combat texting while driving and other driving distractions, contact your local AAA club.

• AAA, Seventeen and DOT recongize National Two-Second Turnoff Day (press release)
• 86 Percent of Teens have Driven While Distracted, According to AAA and Seventeen Magazine Survey (press release)
• AAA Commends Delaware as it Becomes the 30th State to Prohibit Text Messaging While Driving (press release)
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's Heads Up Driving Week page