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Drive Safer America!

12 March 2000

Demonstrates Latest Automotive Safety Technologies And Crash Prevention Tips to Highway Safety Experts in Atlanta

    ATLANTA - The nation's top safety experts will get behind-the-wheel experience 
with some of the latest automotive safety technologies at the Drive Safer 
America! ride and drive event today in Atlanta.  In conjunction with the nation's 
largest highway safety meeting, Lifesavers 2000, top national and local highway 
safety professionals are invited to attend a ride and drive demonstration 
sponsored by Drive Safer America! (DSA!), an automotive consumer awareness 
group dedicated to helping drivers better understand the proper use of advanced 
safety technologies and proper techniques for smarter, safer driving.  
Participants will get a "crash course" in how to steer their way out of trouble 
on the road.

    Protection in a crash is usually what comes to mind first in thinking
about highway safety.  But crash avoidance is equally important.  DSA!'s "Keep
it on the Road" event offers a hands-on demonstration of new safety
technologies that are designed to prevent crashes from occurring.
Participants will test drive vehicles equipped with the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP), advanced technology that can help drivers maintain control of
their vehicles and potentially reduce rollovers.   A high-tech driving
simulator will also let participants experience how it feels to slam on the
brakes at high speeds, with and without the use of four-wheel anti-lock brakes
(ABS).

    "Each year, more than 1,500 Georgians and 41,000 Americans are killed in
motor vehicle crashes and more than 3 million people are injured," states
DSA!'s Communications Director, Jim Gill.  "Given these numbers, educating
drivers about the benefits and proper use of safety technologies is crucial,"
Mr. Gill said.  "By demonstrating new safety technologies and how to use them,
DSA! is helping to save lives."

    In addition to the Electronic Stability Program and ABS, other
technologies featured at "Keep it on the Road" include traction control and
the new Intelligent Tire.  Developed by Continental Teves, the Intelligent
Tire will actually "read" the road and be synchronized with all of the above
technologies to make them work faster and smarter.

    Demonstrating its commitment to safety, DSA emphasizes that these
technologies are not a replacement for the driver, but must complement and
integrate with him or her, making driving safer, easier and more enjoyable.