Hang on and buckle up, Travel Channel’s America’s Worst Drive‘ reality television series premiers Sunday, March 14 at 10 p.m. ET. It’s only befitting AAA collaborates with the new show as the official safety partner.

Here’s the skinny on the series, bad drivers from eight major American cities compete in various driving challenges to determine the worst local driver. Drivers compete in challenges concentrating on their ability to focus when dealing with distractions and stress. Off-duty police officers monitor the drivers and to protect everyone’s safety. They issue penalties for traffic violations. The worst driver from each city will have their car destroyed before advancing to the finale where one participant will be named, Americas Worst Driver.

So did participants voluntarily apply to be on the show? Well, they were nominated by friends and family. Nice.

AAA’s Rules of the Road will be broadcast throughout the series presented by AAA’s driving training expert Dr. William Van Tassel, aka: “Dr. Bill”. He’ll offer quick driving safety tips. Safety behind the wheel will be emphasized as the primary priority throughout the series and AAA will offer online driver improvement courses to the participating contestants.

“Reality-based television programming represents a fresh and potentially effective way to teach millions of American’s how to be better and safer drivers,” said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president of AAA Public Affairs.

“We are a nation of drivers - and there is no better way to see a city than by hitting the streets,” said Michael Klein, senior vice president, content for Travel Channel. “That said, we aren’t always a nation of good drivers. America’s Worst Driver takes an entertaining look at this serious issue, and partnering with AAA, whose commitment to promoting safe driving is unwavering, is the perfect complement to the series.”

Should be some entertaining television and we certainly hope when driving to your next vacation, you’ll arrive safely. Tune into America’s Worst Driver on lessons of what not to do behind the wheel.

The acclaimed flick Up in the Air starring George Clooney as business traveler Ryan Bingham who’s traveling the country to earn ten million frequent flyer miles, is available on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, March 9.

Through racking up all those miles, Ryan has learned the tricks of packing light and saving time when traveling. Following are his 6 business travel packing tips, we’re sure you can relate to one or two. And, be sure to bring home the flick to learn an important lesson about life.

Tip #1: Pack your belt, don’t wear it. You’re holding up the line for an accessory.  Watching you fumble with a buckle makes my eyes bleed.

Tip #2: Your watch won’t set off the metal detector.  So stop putting it in your shoe.

Tip #3: Tourists are amateurs.  They carry way too much electronic equipment and their brains are on vacation.  You see a sun visor—go to the next line.

Tip #4: Please, for the love of God, stop waving goodbye to your family as you’re going through the metal detector.  Kiss your loved one at the curb and be done with it.

Tip #5: Pick up your trays on the other side of the conveyor belt.   Don’t cause a traffic jam.

Tip #6: More people to avoid:
–the guy with the oversized musical instrument.
– the high school softball team that’s too excited to be traveling.
–the angry senior citizen who will get into an argument with the TSA officer.
–the stoner… obvious pat down.

If you’ve racked up thousands of miles like Ryan Bingham, you deserve some R&R with loved ones or a solo escape. Redeem those miles to take you away. Check out Resort Rental’s variety of destinations to plan your vacation, ranging from sandy beaches of Playa Joca in Costa Rica to the serenity of the red rocks of Sedona.

What better place than an airport to pick up a good read? Travelers connecting through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on upcoming select dates can meet an author and have their book signed at Borders located at Terminal A/B, Southwest Airlines. Of course, we hope you’re on your way traveling South for a warm vacation.

Scheduled for Friday, March 5
Poet and author Doris Washington will sign copies of A Blessing, Caring & Sharing and Faith, Hope and Love, two of her works of poetry that bring spiritual and inspirational messages of hope and love to the world of autism, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Capt. Edward Brittingham, a retired U.S. Navy officer and author of military-themed fiction and nonfiction, will sign copies of Sub Chasers, Operation Poppy, The Iranian Deception and Terrorism in the United States, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, March 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Author Austin Camacho will sign his five detective novels in the Hannibal Jones series, The Troubleshooter, Blood and Bone, Collateral Damage, Damaged Goods and Russian Roulette along with his two action thrillers, The Payback Assignment and The Orion Assignment.

Friday, March 26 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Former pastor and author Dr. Ken Newburger will be signing Hope in the Face of Conflict: Making Peace with Others the Way God Makes Peace with Us, which introduces the Judeo-Christian model of peacemaking.

Tuesday, April 27, 10 a.m. to Noon
Chris White, a writer and naturalist specializing in narrative nonfiction, will be signing copies of Skipjack, The Story of America’s Last Sailing Oystermen.

You can thank BAA Maryland, developer of the AIRMALL at BWI for arranging these author visits. And don’t worry about bringing a pen, these authors will be prepared.