Verizon Wireless Joins With Designated Drivers Association to Promote Safe Driving

SAN RAMON, Calif., Nov. 20 -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, today announced it has awarded $10,000 and wireless phones to the Designated Drivers Association (DDA) in California, in an effort to keep more drunk drivers off the roads. The grant will support DDA's existing programs in Yuba City (Sutter County) and Sacramento and fund expansion of DDA's volunteer-based services to the towns of Marysville (Yuba County), Stockton (San Joaquin County) and Modesto (Stanislaus County).

The DDA is a non-profit organization that provides free rides to intoxicated and impaired individuals in need of a designated driver. Volunteers are on-call Friday and Saturday nights to pick up impaired citizens, typically at local restaurants and bars, and drive them and their cars home safely.

``As our organization is entirely volunteer-based, we're dependent upon private and corporate funds to continue our mission,'' said Nick Yaya, Executive Director, California Chapter, Designated Drivers Association. ``Verizon Wireless' grant, as well as the phones, will be of tremendous help in establishing our new chapters and points of service, just in time for the busy holiday season.''

Verizon Wireless' $10,000 grant will be used to support the organization's operational costs. The wireless phones and accompanying airtime from Verizon Wireless will be used by volunteer drivers of the new chapters, so they can be in regular contact with volunteer dispatchers.

``Driving safety has long been a priority for Verizon Wireless,'' said Glen Hori, president of the Northern California/Nevada Region for Verizon Wireless. ``While our own established responsible driving programs are aimed at educating drivers about using wireless phones safely in their vehicles, we're pleased to extend our commitment to responsible driving to help support DDA's life-saving efforts in communities we serve.''