Teens Drive Smart & Firestone Indy Lights Tackle Distracted Driving Bridgestone Americas’ teen driver safety program and Firestone IndyLights drivers share safe driving message with Carroll County High School
CARROLLTON, Ky. (Sept. 2, 2010) -Hundreds of Carroll County high school students today learned about the biggest threat facing them behind the wheel: simple distractions. Teens Drive Smart presented by Bridgestone teamed up with race car drivers from Firestone Indy Lights, the official driver development series of the IZOD IndyCar Series, to share the important message of staying focused on the road and eliminating everyday distractions, such as cell phones, text messages and additional passengers.
“Our students’ safety is our top concern,” said John Leeper, Principal, Carroll County High School. “Bridgestone Americas offered us the opportunity to remind students to not only focus on their studies, but their driving as well. Teens Drive Smart provides the resources, tools and forum to help all of us teach our kids safe driving habits.”
The presentation tested students’ knowledge of Kentucky’s driving laws and also illustrated the differences between driving on a racetrack and road. Students had the opportunity to meet three of the race car drivers who are in town for Saturday’s Firestone Indy Lights Buckle-up Kentucky 100 race and IZOD IndyCar Series Kentucky Indy 300.
“Educating teenagers about driver safety is not only the responsibility of parents and schools; it is also a responsibility for the community as a whole,” said Dan MacDonald, Vice President ofCommunity and Corporate Relations, Bridgestone Americas (BSA). “As members of communities both big and small, we at Bridgestone Americas and TeensDriveSmart.com are committed to educating America’s teens on the importance of safe driving, and making the roads safer for everyone.”
TeensDriveSmart.com focuses on promoting driver safety knowledge and smarts where young drivers are: at the intersection of responsibility and driving excitement. The site offers a variety of interactive components including a new resource center that offers: driver safety contracts for new drivers and their parents; teen-to-teen advice to help teens talk about safe driving with their peers; and parent-to-teen advice for parents for talking about driver safety with their teens. The site also includes safety tips and videos; online games; and opportunities to win prizes.
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, 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.
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, 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.
About Firestone Indy Lights:
Firestone Indy Lights serves as an essential steppingstone for drivers who want to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series, teams compete for nearly $4 million in prize money in cars that are second only in speed to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit. It is the top developmental series on the Road to Indy ladder system, which was introduced in 2010 as a clear, defined path for career-minded open-wheel drivers. The Road to Indy also includes the US F2000 National Championship and Star Mazda Championship.
Firestone Indy Lights serves as an essential steppingstone for drivers who want to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series, teams compete for nearly $4 million in prize money in cars that are second only in speed to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit. It is the top developmental series on the Road to Indy ladder system, which was introduced in 2010 as a clear, defined path for career-minded open-wheel drivers. The Road to Indy also includes the US F2000 National Championship and Star Mazda Championship.