AAA: DMV OK

One Springfield institution critiqued another this week, and both came out unscathed. The American Automotive Association, which has a branch on Rte. 22 in Springfield, released the results of their survey on New Jersey's Department of Motor Vehicles, which has a branch on Center Street in Springfield. 

According to an AAA press release, an "overwhelming majority of respondents had a positive experience at their last visit to a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) facility." The survey, part of the AAA Clubs of New Jersey's 2010 Report to the Legislature, found 89 percent of respondents giving Motor Vehicle Commission facilities passing marks. 

"This is an encouraging sign for an agency that used to be a punch line, instead of the effective, efficient state agency it is today," Fred Gruel, chairman of the AAA Clubs of New Jersey, said in the release.

Full press release below. 

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AAA sees improvement in Motor Vehicle Commission, urges continued investment

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., July 7, 2010-In their biennial survey of New Jersey motorists, the AAA Clubs of New Jersey found that the overwhelming majority of respondents had a positive experience at their last visit to a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) facility.

These findings were part of the AAA Clubs of New Jersey 2010 Report to the Legislature, which highlights the opinions of motorists across New Jersey on a range of issues, from traffic safety to community trends.

Noting the transformation that the MVC has undergone since 2003, AAA believed it was time to gauge the public's perception of the state agency.  Drivers throughout the state have indeed noticed the change, with 89 percent describing their experience-either at an agency or inspection facility-as positive.

"This is an encouraging sign for an agency that used to be a punch line, instead of the effective, efficient state agency it is today," said Fred Gruel, chairman of the AAA Clubs of New Jersey.

Given the positive feedback in this report and many comments from AAA members over the past few years, it is clear that, when it comes to providing services to the drivers in this state, the MVC has gotten it right.

In the last two fiscal years, that investment has been threatened by proposed cuts to service and funding, but these findings should reinforce the necessity of maintaining the new standards for service that the MVC has created.

"It is AAA's hope that the state continues the positive investment they have made in the MVC," added Gruel.  "It is clear that our members have seen the difference."

The AAA Clubs of New Jersey-AAA North Jersey, AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, AAA Mid-Atlantic and AAA South Jersey-provide automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to over 2 million members through 26 offices across the state.  The AAA Clubs of New Jersey are affiliated with AAA, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying federation of automobile clubs, which serves as an advocate for motorists and travelers.

Locally, the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, headquartered in Florham Park, provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties.  Visit AAA online at AAA.com.