Aggressive Drivers Beware; Holiday Crackdown May 24-31

      Two of Three Highway Fatalities Stem from Aggressive Driving -
                      Three Deaths a Day in VA-MD-DC

                Start of Summer Travel Triggers Stepped-up
                 Enforcement to Combat Aggressive Driving

         Radio and Transit Bus Ads Launched to Heighten Awareness

  WHAT:   With AAA projecting more than 400,000 greater Washingtonians
          hitting the highway over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, more
          than 50 state and local law enforcement agencies are cracking down
          on aggressive driving as part of the Smooth Operator campaign.  A
          fact sheet detailing all facets of the campaign is available on
          request.

          Police agencies are using traditional and unconventional tactics
          to stop aggressive driving in its tracks, from highly visible
          enforcement in standard police cruisers to "under-cover" unmarked
          high-performance Chevy Camaros to cutting-edge technologies.

          To heighten public awareness, creative and resonant advertisements
          are appearing on regional radio stations and transit buses.  The
          campaign theme -- "Think There's No Harm In Aggressive Driving?
          Think Again" -- aims to stigmatize aggressive driving by
          emphasizing its dangers, illegality and other negative
          consequences.

  WHY:    With area congestion at an all-time high, many drivers are acting
          out their frustrations by speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane
          changes, and running red lights and stop signs.  These aggressive
          driving behaviors tragically result in increased car crashes,
          injuries and fatalities in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

          The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
          estimates that two-thirds of highway deaths last year were related
          to aggressive driving behaviors.  Applied to the three-
          jurisdiction territory of DC, Maryland and Virginia, approximately
          three deaths a day stem from aggressive driving behaviors.

  WHEN:   Today and throughout the initial wave of stepped-up law
          enforcement:  May 24 through May 31

STORY ANGLES: One-on-one interviews and individual ride-alongs may be arranged with the following:

          * Touched by Tragedy -- Maryland resident Judy Hively lost her
            mother to an aggressive driving crash.  By speaking out for
            stepped up enforcement and tougher aggressive driving laws,
            Hively is striving to prevent similar tragedies from striking
            others.  She is available to discuss the crash that took her
            mother's life as well as her recent experiences with the
            judicial system.

          * Police Prevention -- Officers with the scores of regional law
            enforcement agencies are targeting aggressive driving with
            stepped up monitoring and ticketing.  Ride-alongs are available
            in:

                  * High performance unmarked Maryland State Police Chevy
                    Camaros;

                  * A one-of-its-kind van equipped specifically to target
                    aggressive driving; and

                  * Traditional squad cars.

          * Coping with Consequences -- Physicians with Inova Fairfax
            Hospital and University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in
            Baltimore who often are called upon to attend to victims of
            aggressive driving crashes.

PRNewswire -- May 22