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Driver's Edge Launches 2005 National Tour Of Youth
Driver Education Program
Young drivers, parents to receive free training
from professional drivers in 13 U.S. cities
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 7, 2005) – Automobile collisions continue to be the number
one killer of America’s youth, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In fact, the agency’s Traffic Safety Facts 2003,
Young Drivers report (NHTSA 2003 report) states that
there were 7,884 young drivers aged 15 to 20 involved
in fatal motor vehicle collisions in 2003. Driver’s
Edge, a non-profit organization, is working to combat
these statistics head on by offering free classroom
and behind-the-wheel driving instruction in select cities
across the United States.
“According to the follow-up we
conduct with our students, Driver’s Edge is making
a difference and helping save the lives of America’s
youth,” said Jeff Payne, president, CEO and founder
of Driver’s Edge. “It’s unfortunate
that we live in a country where people are not really
taught how to drive. They are merely taught how to pass
a test. Learning the basic fundamentals of how to operate
a vehicle is not going to prepare a young driver for
the real world driving hazards they will face every
day.”
Driver’s Edge was specifically
developed to help address the unacceptably high number
of youth-related automobile collisions and fatalities
that occur annually throughout the United States. The
nationally recognized program, taught by professional
racecar drivers and performance driving instructors,
will travel to 13 U.S. cities in 2005, including first-time
visits to Denver, Colo., and Seattle, Wash. The third
Driver’s Edge National Tour kicks off March 5,
2005 in Los Angeles.
“The NHTSA 2003 report highlights
a staggering statistic: while young drivers make up
only 6.4 percent of total drivers, they account for
18 percent of all collisions,” said Mark A. Emkes,
chairman and CEO, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.,
which is sponsoring Driver’s Edge for the third
consecutive year. “For this reason, educating
this group in proper driving techniques is extremely
important. We feel this is an excellent opportunity
to make a difference in youth driving safety and we
proudly support Driver’s Edge.”
To date, more than 10,000 young drivers
and their parents have attended a free, half-day Driver’s
Edge program. “Although a comparable instructional
driving program would cost approximately $450, Driver’s
Edge is offered for free in order to provide this opportunity
to all young drivers, regardless of social or economic
background,” said Steven Tepper, chief operating
officer of Driver’s Edge.
The program is typically offered twice
a day, with each session educating approximately 75
to 100 students. The students’ parents are encouraged
to attend and observe as well. After attending a program,
Driver’s Edge contacts each student at six, 12
and 24 month intervals to monitor driving experience
following course completion.
The program includes the following elements:
- Written tests designed to measure students’
driving knowledge before and after they get behind
the wheel.
- Classroom and behind-the-wheel defensive driving
instruction on skid control, evasive lane change maneuvers,
anti-lock braking skills and panic-braking techniques.
- Local law enforcement interaction, including impaired
driving awareness and seat belt safety.
- Proper car maintenance session, based on Firestone
Complete Auto Care’s Car Care Academies, an
award-winning instructional program that has been
offered throughout the United States for more than
30 years. The Car Care Academies are a new addition
to the Driver’s Edge program this year.
Driver’s Edge events will be
offered in the following cities this year: Chicago,
Ill.; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Detroit,
Mich.; Las Vegas, Nev. (the program’s home city);
Los Angeles, Calif.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Nashville,
Tenn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Reno, Nev.; Seattle, Wash.; Washington,
D.C.; and a yet to be determined city in the northern
California area.
Young drivers, aged 15 to 21, possessing a valid learner’s
permit or license must register in advance for the program
either by phone at 1-877-633-EDGE (3343), or online
at www.driversedge.org.
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas
Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone
Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber
company. BSAH and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture
and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton
and associate and private brand tires to address the
needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers,
automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment
manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry
and mining industries. The companies also produce air
springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial
fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest
chain of automotive tire and service centers.
Las Vegas-based Driver’s Edge
is a Nevada 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Originally
created by former professional racecar driver Jeff Payne,
Driver’s Edge is, quite simply, a no cost educational
program for young drivers (aged 15-21) that teaches
real life emergency avoidance and response techniques
and overall driver safety. This innovative program is
taught on an ongoing basis in Las Vegas, Nev., with
annual national tours visiting multiple U.S. cities
each year. The program is funded entirely by corporate
sponsorship, public grants and charitable donations.
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