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The Automobile Association (also referred to as The AA) is a British motoring organization.
On June 29, 1905 a group of motoring enthusiasts met at the Trocadero restaurant in the West End of London. This was the inauguration of the Automobile Association, formed to help motorists avoid police speed traps.
By 1906 the association took a stand on road safety issues, and erected thousands of roadside warning signs.
In 1908, the AA published the AA Members' Special Handbook, a list of nationwide agents and mechanics. The following year saw the introduction of the AA's free legal system.
Between 1910 and 1929 the AA introduced AA Routes. To this day, the association continues to produce travel guides and maps. AA Publishing has grown to be the UK's dominant publisher of travel literature. Also, from 1912 the AA began inspecting hotels and restaurants, issuing the coveted AA Star Classification to those deemed to be of superior quality. By 1914, the AA had grown to 83,000 members.
In the 1920s the association introduced pre-purchase and post-accident repair checks.
By 1939, the AA's membership had grown to 725,000, a number equivalent, at the time, to 35 percent of all UK cars. World War II ended and the AA began to protest wartime petrol rationing. The campaign was successful and rationing was repealed in 1950Events January January 5 US Senator Estes Kefauver introduces a resolution calling for examination of organized crime in the USA January 6 The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with. This was the first of many campaigns, led by the AA, that were aimed at championing the rights of British motorists.
Other campaigns, in which the AA have been instrumental, include the compulsory wearing of seatbelts, and the introduction of lead-free petrol. Seatbelt legislation became law in the UK in 1983Events January January 1 Beat Raaflaub became Basel Boys Choir's new conductor January 1 the ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet. January 1 compulsory wearing of seat belts becomes law in the UK. January 2 The mu.
19491949 is the common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 4 RMS Caronia of the Cunard Line departs Southampton for New York on her maiden voyage January 4 February 22 Series of winter storms in Nebraska, Wyoming, saw the launch of the AA's breakdown and recovery service. Initially only available in London and surrounding districts, it has been gradually extended to cover most of the UK.The AA Insurance brokerage service started life in 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio. Today, AA Insurance is the UK's largest motor insurance company. The service was later extended to cover home and life insurance.
In 1973Events January events January 1 United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark enter the European Economic Community now known as the European Union January 3 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) sells the New York Yankees for $10 million to a 12-person syndicate led AA Roadwatch began broadcasting traffic alerts on UK commercial radio stations. It grew to become the largest broadcaster of traffic information in EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se. AA Relay was introduced later that year, a service that promised to deliver a broken-down vehicle, its driver and passengers, luggage and trailer to anywhere in Britain.
In 19921992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday. Events January January The Internet Society is formed. January 1 Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General January 1 George H. Bush becomes the fi, the AA Driving School was launched and now employs more than 1,300 qualified driving instructors. By 19941994 is a common year starting on Saturday, and was designated the International year of the Family''. Events January events January 1 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect January 6 Nancy Kerrigan is clubbed on the right leg by an, AA's membership was at eight million and growing. Current estimates place the figure at over twelve million members.
In 1999 the company demutualised and was sold to Centrica , the holding company who of British Gas. Each member of the companies breakdown services in the UK and Ireland received a payout of over a hundred pounds, which for many of them was more than they had ever paid in membership fees.
See also: American Automobile Association