PRESS RELEASE

CSAA Says, ``Teenage Motor Vehicle Deaths Rose 20% in California; It's the #1 Killer''

    SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 6 -- In response to a dramatic
rise in teenage motor vehicle deaths, especially among young women,
the California State Automobile Association (CSAA), Russell Racing
School, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and Sears Point Raceway
have collaborated (November 19 - 22) to provide the educational
experience known as "The CSAA Safe High School Driver Program," which
is unique throughout the U.S.A.
    According to the California Department of Health, in 1994, 140
teenage females and 320 males were killed in motor vehicle accidents
in California, due to unintentional injuries.  38,242 were injured
according to the CHP.  Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 killer of
female adolescents 15-19 years of age and the #2 killer of young
males, in the same age category.  Between 1993 and 1994, female motor
vehicle deaths increased 20% and male deaths rose 2%.  In 1994, an
average of one U.S. teenager died in a traffic crash each hour during
the weekends and one every two hours during the week.  "Preventive
steps must be taken soon to stop the dramatic rise in teenage motor
vehicle deaths," said CHP spokesman Terence Sims.
    Attending the CSAA driver program will be 400 students from eight
high schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  High schools were
asked to submit an incentive plan explaining how they will use the
safe driver program to encourage high academic goals and promote safe
driving behavior.  They include the following: George Washington High,
San Francisco County; Mt. Diablo High, Contra Costa County; Novato
High, Marin County; Junipero Serra High, San Mateo County; Sonoma
Valley High, Sonoma County; St. Helena High, Napa County; San Mateo
High, San Mateo County; North Monterey County High, Monterey County.
    In the safe and controlled confines of the raceway, the students
will increase their accident avoidance skills by learning the
following: braking, steering and skid control.  But more importantly,
they will become aware of the CSAA partnership that teaches safe
choices.  They will also receive classroom instructions from
professional driving instructors.
    According to CSAA, over the next fifteen years, the "baby boom
echo" will cause a dramatic increase in the number of teenage drivers.
U.S. Census Bureau population data shows that by the year 2000, the
youth population will grow to 23.7 million, an increase of 12% more
16-year-olds than today.  By the year 2010, there will be 23% more
young drivers on the roads.  Teenage deaths will continue to rise
substantially unless preventive and pervasive measures like "The CSAA
Safe Driver Program" are implemented throughout the United States.
    EVENT: The program will take place each day from 7:30 a.m. to 5
p.m.  Tuesday, Nov. 19; Wednesday, Nov. 20; Thursday, Nov. 21, and
Friday, Nov. 22, at Sears Point Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma,
CA.
    Upon completion of the classroom and driving sessions,
professional race car drivers will take the students for thrilling
"hot laps" around the road course.  The CHP will have a vehicle
"roll-over simulator" and will demonstrate for the students the
terrifying effects of losing control and being thrown from a vehicle
if seat belts are not fastened.
    CSAA is the AAA-affiliated auto club providing travel, financial,
insurance and automotive services to more than 3.6 million members in
California, Nevada and Utah.

CONTACTS: Ron Kennedy of CSAA, 415-565-2315, or pager, 415-708-0004;
or Rob Lopez of Sears Point Raceway, 707-938-8448, ext. 107