GEICO's Project LIFT Helps Make the Holidays Safer

10 December 1999

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Winter holidays are among the most
dangerous time of year for drivers, and it's not just because of the weather.
Of the 364 traffic fatalities nationwide around Christmas 1998, 173 or 46
percent of them were alcohol-related, according to statistics from Mothers
Against Drunk Driving. And on New Year's Day, that proportion jumped to 68
percent. Through its Project LIFT (Leave in a Free Taxi), GEICO is working
hard to make the 1999 holiday season safer.
    "Project LIFT is an awareness campaign about the dangers of drinking and
driving during the holiday season," said David Schindler, group vice
president. "First we encourage our associates not to drink and drive. If they
do drink, we remind them to limit their intake and to designate a driver.
However, should associates or their friends or family find that they are
unable to operate a motor vehicle safely, we'd rather help pay their way home
than have them get behind a wheel."
    That's where Project LIFT comes in. GEICO will reimburse its associates,
their friends or their families for taxi cab fare up to $25. Participation in
Project LIFT is confidential.
    Project LIFT is only one of GEICO's activities during National Drunk and
Drugged Driving Prevention Month in December. "We distribute tips on
responsible holiday party planning and encourage our associates to participate
in Lights On For Life Day on Dec. 17," added Schindler. "On that day, we ask
associates to drive with their headlights on to remind others about the
dangers of driving while intoxicated.
    "Drinking and driving contributed to more than 15,900 deaths on our
nation's roads and streets last year. That's more than 300 funerals a week,"
Schindler said. "GEICO wants to reduce that number this year."
    GEICO offers auto insurance coverage under GEICO and GEICO General for
preferred risk drivers; GEICO Indemnity for standard risk drivers; and GEICO
Casualty for non-standard risk drivers.
    GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract
customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number, and keeps its rates low by
dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24
hours a day, seven days a week, and is the largest direct marketer of auto
insurance. It insures more than 4 million policyholders and over 6.3 million
automobiles. For more information, go to http://www.GEICO.com.

    GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) and its affiliates GEICO
General, GEICO Indemnity and GEICO Casualty companies insure private passenger
automobiles and provide homeowner and other types of insurance for qualified
applicants. The companies market collectively under the trademark GEICO
Direct.