The National Motorists Association is for-profit non-stock corporation lobbyist and special interest group in North America, created in 1982. NMA also operates a small non-profit organization, National Motorists Association Foundation, established in 1999. The organization takes "hard-line stances against automated enforcement, lower speed limits, traffic calming, stricter DUI rules, and even seatbelt laws."
History
The NMA, originally called the Citizens Coalition for Rational Traffic Laws, was founded in 1982 in opposition to the 55 mph National Maximum Speed Law, which was their chief cause until the law’s repeal in 1995. The NMA also fought unsuccessfully against drunk driving laws, arguing they “target innocent motorists who happen to be social drinkers.” The National Motorists Association name was adopted in the late 1980s.
The NMA opposes most forms of traffic law enforcement and encourages all those receiving citations to challenge their traffic tickets. The NMA fights the installation of red light cameras, automated speed limit enforcement, and the use of stop-arm cameras on school buses. The non-profit, non-partisan Politifact gave the NMA's assertion that radar speed enforcement and red-light cameras do not prevent crashes the rating "Pants on Fire," indicating a statement that is "not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim." The NMA operates a speedtrap registry and a roadblock registry where people can post the locations of traffic law enforcement and sobriety checkpoints. The group opposes checkpoints, the use of Breathalyzers as evidence in court, the assumption of fault when an impaired driver is in a collision, and most cases of license suspension due to DUI violations. The group supports lowering penalties for drunk drivers under a BAC of 0.15%. They oppose reducing the legal blood alcohol content limit and are against "zero tolerance" laws for drivers under the legal drinking age. The NMA states they support "drinking and driving regulations based on reasonable standards." The organization also offers to reimburse traffic fines for paying customers who are found guilty of violating laws after unsuccessfully challenging a ticket in court.
Organized protests
In the 1980s and '90s, the NMA would advertise a "Civil Obedience Day" where some drivers would travel in a caravan at the posted speed limit on a few local highways. The purpose was to support the NMA’s claim that the posted speed limit was unreasonably low. The caravan would leave the far left lane open for cars to pass.
NMA has taken a strong opposition to Vision Zero road safety projects, signing editorials and offering criticism against policies to support the movement's goals.
Corporate status and foundation
The National Motorists Association is a privately held, non-stock corporation in Waunakee, Wisconsin. NMA describes itself as a "grassroots advocacy organization". It does not publish membership statistics or funding sources. The NMA's foundation, separate from the for-profit NMA itself, is a 501 non-profit organization founded in 1999 and also based in Waunakee, Wisconsin. The foundation has funded legal challenges, to mixed success, in three states, including a Wisconsin case in which the NMA president's wife disputed a ticket based on a speed laser reading. It provided a $500 research grant to support the Motorcycle Riders Federation challenge to stricter emissions standards. The NMA does not disclose the donor list for its foundation. The foundation's sole program expenses were attributed to "educational materials and related support services to American motorists", for a total of $34,659 in 2014, and $69,338 in 2013. NMA Foundation does not have any paid employees.
