“Think Before You Drive” Arrives At Chicago Auto ShowBridgestone Americas’ new online platform promotes driver safety education
CHICAGO (Feb. 11, 2009) — Start your engines and rev up your computers: Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) today officially unveiled its new online driver safety program at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. With the launch of the new Web site, all of Bridgestone Americas’ consumer road safety programs are unified under a single banner — Think Before You Drive — a driver education initiative of the global Bridgestone Group.
While the Web site is designed to educate all passenger vehicle drivers, it has a special focus on younger drivers, incorporating all of Bridgestone Americas’ consumer safety and education programs under one comprehensive umbrella to further reinforce the importance of smart driving. Chicago Auto Show attendees will receive window clings that provide a daily reminder of safe driving tips and will also have an opportunity to “test drive” the new site at the Bridgestone Americas display at McCormick Place for a chance to win a $100 gas card, $20 iTunes gift card or tire safety kit. In addition, anyone can follow Think Before You Drive on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ThinkB4YouDrive) for real-time updates.
“We know that car accidents are the leading cause of death among drivers aged 16-20,” said Christine Karbowiak, Vice President, Community and Corporate Relations, BSAM. “That’s why, at Bridgestone Americas, we are fully committed to doing what we can to educate motorists — particularly new teenage drivers — on the importance of safe driving every time they get behind the wheel. We’re excited about the Think Before You Drive program and are eager to share it with all drivers.”
The company’s new interactive Web site, ThinkBeforeYouDrive.org, provides tire safety lessons and driving skills to help reduce the preventable tragedies on the road that are claiming too many young lives. The Web site highlights the variety of consumer safety and education programs the company runs or sponsors, such as SafetyScholars.com, Mario Andretti’s Real Information On Safety, Driver’s Edge, Car Care Academies and TireSafety.com. The Web site offers visitors a variety of interactive services including:
- Online video game that challenges site visitors to utilize safe driving techniques to keep their test dummies from becoming crash dummies.
- Online road quiz to test knowledge of driver safety and the chance to win a $100 gas gift card during a regular monthly drawing and a $20 iTunes gift card and tire safety kit during a special drawing to be held after the Chicago Auto Show.
- Videos demonstrating proper vehicle maintenance.
- Helpful tips on maximizing fuel efficiency through proper vehicle maintenance.
- Driver tips and facts, including some “fun facts” about racing legend Mario Andretti.
- Driver safety contract templates for new drivers and their parents.
- Entertaining and powerful videos produced by teens for teens on the issue of driver and tire
safety through the Safety Scholars initiative.
Think Before You Drive also has a fan page on Facebook and a blog, “You” Turn, from two-time Safety Scholars winner Sarah Wilson.
“Keeping motorists safe on the roads is everyone’s responsibility,” said BSAM Executive Director for Communications Dan MacDonald, who directs outreach efforts for Bridgestone Americas’ driver safety education initiatives. “For Bridgestone Americas, it’s a top priority that’s backed with a commitment to driver safety and education that is unparalleled in the automotive industry.”
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate 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 are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
Please visit www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org for more information. For broadcast-quality logos, digital photos and/or video, please visit: www.bridgestoneamericasmedia.com.