Top 10 Finalists Chosen in Safety Scholars Teen Driver Video ContestOnline Voting Begins Today for Best Auto Safety-Themed Video; Finalists Eligible for $5,000 Scholarship and Televised PSA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2008) –The top 10 finalists have been chosen in the 2008 Safety Scholars video contest, a national competition in which 16- to 21-year old drivers create short auto safety-themed videos. The finalists were selected from 620 entries received by Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC.

Budding video producers from across the country utilized a variety of techniques to deliver messages about the importance of auto and tire safety, including animation, stop-motion with Lego® figures and dramatic first-person testimonials.

A panel of judges selected the top 10 videos based on how well they compel viewers to be more safety-conscious, including topics such as seat belt usage, tiresafety and avoiding in-vehicle distractions; plus how effectively and creatively they communicate their safety message.

The videos, which are less than one minute in length, are now posted at SafetyScholars.com for online voting through July 25. Votes by the general public will determine three grand prize winners, who will be announced Aug. 8. In order to make the finalists’ videos accessible to widest possible audience of young drivers across the country, videos are also posted on YouTube and MySpace.

The grand prize winners will each be given the opportunity to have the winning video broadcast as a public service commercial by Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. Additionally, they’ll be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship and a trip to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, where they will showcase their videos to automotive journalists from around the country. Each of the 10 finalists will also
receive a new set of Bridgestone or Firestone branded tires.

“More than 20 young drivers are involved in fatal collisions every day, so we want to make sure our safety education initiatives aimed at young drivers are compelling to them,” said Christine Karbowiak, Vice President of Community and Corporate Relations, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. “This is a competition driven by the teens themselves, and the contestants continue to amaze us with their originality. Their videos are not only informative, but fun to watch as well.”

Safety Scholars Facts:

Bridgestone Firestone developed the Safety Scholars initiative in 2006 in the form of an essay contest, which received more than 20,000 submissions. $2,500 scholarships were awarded to three top winners. Last year, the competition became video-based and the scholarships increased to $5,000 each. The program was introduced to promote driver safety and education among America’s youth. Official Rules for this year’s contest with complete entry, eligibility and prize details are available at SafetyScholars.com.

In addition to Safety Scholars, Bridgestone Firestone has invested in a myriad of innovative driving and tire safety education initiatives specifically targeted at young drivers. The Bridgestone brand serves as presenting national sponsor of Driver’s Edge, a hands-on safe driving course that’s offered free of charge to teens in selected U.S. cities. The company has also aired a series of tire safety public service announcements featuring Mario Andretti, legendary racer and Firestone spokesman. Andretti has also toured the country talking to students about auto and tire safety, encouraging the young drivers to learn their M.A.R.I.O’s (Mario Andretti’s Real Information on Safety). The company has distributed more than 30,000 M.A.R.I.O’s safety booklets to teens across the country.