Dallas Ranks Among Top Five Cities in Pedestrian Fatalities

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WHAT:   Otto the Auto, a three-foot-tall, brightly colored talking 
        car, will make its debut before several hundred elementary 
        students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday, April 5, 
        2004. Otto the Auto is a free traffic safety program that is
        provided to school-aged children courtesy of AAA Texas.

WHEN:   Monday, April 5, 2004

WHERE:  Ben Milam Elementary School (cafeteria) at 9:30 AM & 10:15 AM
        4200 McKinney  (Dallas, Texas)

        Victor Hexter Elementary School (auditorium) at 12:30 PM
        9720 Waterview Road  (Dallas, Texas)

        Note:  Media may attend any of the sessions above.

WHY:    Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for
        children aged five through 12. According to the National 
        Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dallas has the 
        fifth highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States 
        when compared to other large cities. Otto the Auto's visit 
        precedes World Health Day (April 7). This year, the World 
        Health Organization (WHO) has identified motor vehicle crashes
        as a public health issue.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, insurance and financial products, travel agency, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.