Driving is a complex skill, especially when you are required to navigate crowded highways, share the road with massive trucks, decipher road signs at 60 mph, maneuver on icy roads and determine how close you should drive compared to other motorists.

As an advocate for all motorists and travelers, AAA has produced dozens of free pamphlets and videos regarding all aspects of driving. Through these educational materials, AAA works to keep everyone safe when they're behind the wheel.

The following traffic safety pamphlets, which are free, are especially useful for novice drivers. To receive copies, send a self-addressed business-size envelope with three first-class stamps to: AAA, Novice Driver Brochures, 12901 N. Forty Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63141.

Freeway Driving Demands Special Skills: Freeway driving requires drivers to make complex but quick decisions at critical moments, and special driving techniques are needed. This brochure identifies the correct procedures for entering and exiting a freeway, the factors that influence speed and lane selection, and how to use space-management techniques such as looking ahead and maintaining time gaps between vehicles.

Road Signs, Signals and Markings: To drive safely, you need information about the highway, any hazardous conditions and the various rules that apply at specific times or places. Traffic-control devices provide such information. Designed especially for new drivers, the brochure identifies and explains the meaning of various signs, signals and pavement markings.

Defensive Driving–Managing Visibility, Time and Space: Drivers must constantly process information to make accurate decisions, and this brochure can help motorists understand the importance of positioning your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen. It describes the optimal following distance, how to position your vehicle in relation to traffic and the importance of “visual” lead time.

Parking Made Easy: While parallel parking is not the most vital ability required of a driver, it still can be a difficult procedure to learn for many motorists. This pamphlet describes the process of parallel parking, including how to identify the points at which to turn the steering wheel.

How to Go on Ice and Snow: Winter weather can make roads slick, icy and dangerous. This brochure helps motorists master winter driving. It includes valuable information on vehicle and driver preparation, a list of items to keep in the car during winter, and detailed winter driving techniques, including step-by-step instructions on how to regain control of your car if it begins to skid.

Watch It: AAA maintains one of the largest free-loan video libraries in the Midwest. This brochure lists more than 85 titles that are available to schools, police agencies and community groups. The videos focus on a range of driving and safety issues, including car care, freeway driving skills, bus safety, road rage, installing child safety seats, driving in bad weather, the effects of alcohol and marijuana on driving and more. The only cost is the return postage of the videos.

Missouri Point System: Small enough to fit in your wallet, this brochure describes Missouri’s method of assessing points for traffic infractions. In addition to listing how many points are assessed for violations, it details how many points motorists can accumulate before their license is suspended or revoked. It also describes Missouri’s “Abuse and Lose” law for drug-and alcohol-related offenses.

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