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Pro Drivers Take Action On Teen Driving SafetyYoung drivers to receive free accident avoidance training during the Driver’s Edge 2006 national tour

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 8, 2006) – Drivers under the age of 18—the ones most likely to be involved in car crashes over the last five years according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety—will learn how to stay safer on the roads thanks to Driver’s Edge. Driver’s Edge, a non-profit organization, will give teen drivers in select U.S. cities free classroom and behind-the-wheel accident avoidance instruction to combat this statistic.

“Car accidents kill more teens than drugs, guns and violent crimes combined, yet conventional driver’s education in America only teaches young drivers how to identify road signs and the most basic of driving skills and then sends them out on the roads,” said Jeff Payne, president, CEO and founder of Driver’s Edge. “To keep them safe we need to take this training to the next level—use a different approach—and that’s what Driver’s Edge is about.”

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 16 U.S. cities in 2006, including visits to the top 10 states for motor vehicle related fatalities according to federal statistics. The fourth annual Driver’s Edge National Tour kicks off March 11, 2006 in Miami.

To date, nearly 20,000 young drivers and their parents have attended a free, half-day Driver’s Edge program. “Comparable teen driver programs charge $450, but we’re committed to keeping ours available for free in order to reach more people,” said Steven Tepper, chief operating officer of Driver’s Edge. “At the end of the day, you just can’t attach a dollar figure to a family getting their teen home safely.”

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 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 completing the course.
  • 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.

Driver’s Edge events will be offered in the following cities this year: Miami, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Atlanta, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Richmond, Va.; Nashville, Tenn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, Colo.; Sacramento, Calif.; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Reno, Nev.

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. Driver’s Edge is sponsored in the interest of public safety by Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
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.

About Driver’s Edge:
Las Vegas-based Driver’s Edge is a Nevada 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Driver’s Edge offers a free 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. For more information, please visit www.driversedge.org.