National Motorists Association
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The National Motorists Association (NMA) is a for-profit corporation in the United States that advocates a libertarian point of view on issues related to traffic laws.
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[edit] History
The company was founded in 1982 as a standard "C" corporation. It was originally called the Citizens Coalition for Rational Traffic Laws (CCRTL), and was founded to repeal the 55 mph National Maximum Speed Law[citation needed] which was imposed in 1974. The National Motorists Association name was adopted in the late 1980s. The CCRTL/NMA's claims to have contributed to modifications and eventual repeal of the National Maximum Speed Law, although little independent records exist to substantiate this claim.
[edit] Positions and issues
The NMA claims to support or advocate for:
- a view of traffic engineering principles that would lead to fewer restrictions on drivers, such as higher speed limits or fewer stop signs
- motorist courtesy
- traffic enforcement perceived as illegitimate or nonconstructive
- repeal of laws that:
- require air bag installation in all new cars
- require seat belt or motorcycle helmet use
- require daytime headlight use
- forbid motorist cell phone use
- increased enforcement of inattentive driving laws
- reduced use of strategies that obstruct and divert traffic, such as traffic calming
- reduced dependence on toll roads
- changes to drunk driving laws that may allow for higher blood alcohol content limits
- elimination of laws or rules targeting elderly drivers
- elimination of high-occupancy vehicle lanes
- allowing motorist deactivation of event data recorders
- elimination of camera-based automated enforcement
[edit] Traffic Justice Program
The NMA encourages motorists to challenge all traffic tickets in court.
To promote this, through its Traffic Justice Program, the NMA offers to pay the fines for customers who challenge their speeding tickets in court and are subsequently found guilty. This offer is limited to US$300, once a subscription year and to those who have been active NMA customers when receiving the tickets, while fighting the ticket, and when requesting payment.[1]
The NMA also provides an audio program called "Guerrilla Ticket Fighter" and other web resources to its customers.
[edit] Corporate status
The NMA is a closely-held, for-profit corporation which thereby allows it to engage in a full range of political activities. As such, it is neither a non-profit organization nor is it a voluntary association. Because of this, it has customers, not members. Its customers do not have voting status. Regardless, some customers provide uncompensated labor to advance the corporation's legislative agenda. Some customers also provide uncompensated labor for the positions of State Chapter Coordinator or State Activist. The NMA also employs a lobbyist to advance its customers' interests at the national level.
The NMA is affiliated with the National Motorists Association Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1999[citation needed] and based in Waunakee, WI[2], for the purposes of carrying out research, education and litigation that advances and enhances individual mobility. National Motorists Association Foundation[3]. The latest available financial report dates from 2006.[4]
[edit] Previous usage
The National Motorists Association was also the name of an older automobile club in the United States, which merged with the American Automobile Association in 1923.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The NMA's Traffic Justice Program. National Motorists Association.
- ^ IRS organization search
- ^ About The NMA Foundation. National Motorists Association.
- ^ IRS Form 990 submitted by National Motorists Assn Foundation (PDF). National Motorists Association.
