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New Driver Distractions Study Sparks Traffic Safety Leaders
to Create Awareness Day May 3
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia
Department of Transportation, Drive Smart Virginia and GEICO are partnering
to take action to help "reduce the use" of cell phones and other
driver distractions by creating the first annual "Distracted Driver Awareness
Day," May 3, in Virginia and North Carolina.
GEICO, Drive Smart Virginia, city officials and community volunteers
will be stationed throughout Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia that day
to distribute pledge cards and information about developing safer driving
habits.
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf of Virginia Beach will take part in the
events, along with representatives from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
and Drive Smart Virginia to discuss with residents the dangers of distracted
driving. They will assemble at the Thalia Shell Gas Station at Pembroke Mall
located at 4500 Virginia Beach Boulevard between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and
9:30 a.m.
Portsmouth Mayor James Holley, III will lead local events in
his community to help increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
concludes that distracted drivers are the leading cause of crashes in the
U.S., accounting for 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes.
Even more dangerous than cell phone use, the study found that drivers reaching
for moving objects within the vehicle were nine times more likely to get in
an accident.
Locations for "Distracted Driver Awareness Day" in
Virginia include: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Richmond,
Fredericksburg, and the Northern Virginia area. Locations in North Carolina
include Raleigh and the Outer Banks.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth
largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto
insurance coverage for more than 7 million policyholders and insures more
than 11 million vehicles. GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group
of companies. Rated A++ for financial stability by A.M. Best Company, GEICO
keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO provides
consumers with outstanding sales, service and claims capabilities on its geico.com
Web site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers may also contact the
company at its toll free 1-800-841-3000 number. 15 minutes could save you
15% on car insurance. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.
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Source: GEICO
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