"We have ongoing programs designed to inform and encourage private motorists to be conscious of road safety," Gus Lagman, AAP president said.

The most visible of those programs is the six-part Road Safety Conferences sponsored by Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. and organized in cooperation with the National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS). Each conference focuses on major road safety issues and invites participants from the government and private agencies.

The road safety conference project committee is headed by Johnny Angeles, AAP vice president/director and former AAP executive director. Working with former AAP president Dodo Ayuyao, Angeles was known for pushing government action on the "shrinking road network" and the expected traffic problem. The duo’s efforts pushed the construction of more roads, including the many flyovers that sprouted during the early years of Cory Aquino’s administration.

Lagman said AAP is also supporting efforts to get legislation to make road safety part of the elementary and high school curriculum. He cited efforts of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ), which follows the group’s ongoing project on road safety teaching modules which are now being conducted around Luzon. The SPMJ "Early Warning" project is also supported by Toyota Motor Philippines.

According to Lagman, other projects will focus on lobbying for laws that will design more features on the road to protect motorists. He said one of these features are providing uniform and internationally-accepted road signs.

"We are very concerned about what government agencies put on the roads – either as directional guide or boundaries to limit movement. For example, we are pushing that the signs on the roads should follow international standards in terms of color and design. We are of course amused by the pink-colored signs that are sprouting along the roads, but we would like to remind people that pink is not part of the internationally-accepted colors for road signs."

Lagman said the AAP is pushing for the opening of more traffic courts to accommodate traffic cases. "Courts should be set up all around Metro Manila and nearer to where the traffic violations are committed.

Lagman also identified motor insurance as part of the AAP’s road safety advocacy. "There is much misinformation on TPL (third party liability) insurance and other insurance coverage. We plan to conduct a forum that will invite insurance experts to enlighten members on the benefits of specific insurance coverage."

Lobbying for measures to make the road safer also brings the AAP to the issue of unqualified motorists. "We are leading efforts to lobby for government to install stricter written and practical exams for the application of a driver’s license. The problems of road safety also include unqualified drivers who do not know how to use the roads properly. Disregarding traffic signs and regulations is a factor that make an irresponsible road user," he said.

The AAP will mark its 75th anniversary this May with a month-long celebration. Activities on the culmination week will be an auto show, motorsports races, motoring awards, and the launching of a coffee table book on motorsports.

Several special events will be held during the auto show which has been scheduled on May 11-14 at the Forum, PICC, CCP Complex, Manila.

The committee for the 75th anniversary celebration is headed by Ronald Reidenbach as chairman, and Aida Sevilla, as vice-chairman.