TEEN DRIVING SAFETY SUMMIT

AAA Mid-Atlantic, Urban Youth Racing School Will Have Frank Discussion With Teens About Risks They Face On The RoadDuring Forum At the IDEA Public Charter High School in DC                        Should officials raise the teenage driving age to 17 or even to  18? Should greater restrictions be placed on rookie drivers? Should the District of Columbia require students to take driver’s education? Each year, young drivers and their passengers represent a disproportionate number of the persons killed and injured in traffic crashes, the leading cause of death among teenagers. AAA Mid-Atlantic, the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS), and the Dover International Speedway will hold a teen driving safety summit in Washington tomorrow in the hope of instilling a better appreciation of the need for responsible driving.                                                    UYRS students talking about their driving experiences and how it relates to teen driver safety.   Thirteen teenagers lost their lives in automobiles crashes in the Washington metro region shortly after the start of school last fall. 12 of the 13 fatalities occurred on suburban roads. Nationwide, more than 5000 teenagers – including 1000 16-year-old drivers - die each year in car crashes. The reason? Too little experience, too many passengers, too many distractions, and too little oversight. Are more safe-driving initiatives warranted?

AAA Brings NASCAR Driver David Ragan to Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia

Teen Driving Safety Talk

One Month Before National teen Driving Safety Week

AAA Mid-Atlantic is bringing David Ragan, NASCAR driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion, to the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia to deliver a teen driving safety message to students.

Teen drivers are at high risk for crashes - more so than any other age group. Inexperience, immaturity, overconfidence, peer pressure and risky behavior contribute to most teen crashes.

This event is designed to raise awareness among young drivers that while driving can be fun; it can also be dangerous. We hope to instill a better appreciation among these young students of the need for responsible driving. No one is more aware of the need to drive with care and skill than a professional race car driver.

AAA has been instrumental in efforts strengthen teen driving laws across the country and to improve teen driver safety by raising awareness of the severity of the problem, bolstering driver education and improving the licensing process. AAA remains commited to helping teens survive the most dangerous period of their lives and that of their peers: learning to drive.

David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion

At 23 years of age, David Ragan has been racing on a track since age 11, long before he could legally drive. Originally from Unadilla, Ga., Ragan now stands 14th overall in points. He finished the 2007 season as the runner-up for the rookie of the year title, and has been driving the AAA car since October 2006

Ragan is in the Philadelphia area in preparation for the upcoming Sept. 19-21, 2008 NASCAR race weekend in Dover International Speedway.

AAA Mid-AAtlantic

AAA has been representing motorists and travelers for more than 100 years. One in three licensed drivers is a AAA uses motorsports activities to promote teen driving safety among young people. AAA was involved in auto racing at the first indianapolis 500 in 1911, sanctioning and keeping records for the race. This year, AAA Mid- Atlantic is the representing sponsor for the “Camping World RV 400 presented by AAA” NASCAR  Sprint Cup Series Race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, September 21, 2008 

Urban Youth Racing School

UYRS has been a vital source of support and strength for inner-city children between the ages of 8 - 18 for the past 10 years. With the help of supporters, UYRS will continue to build on its legacy by focusing on their commitment to exposing their youth to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related career opportunities in motorsports and making diversity, education and youth issues a national priority. UYRS students make noticeable improvements in academic achievement. Programs include Build-A-Dream, Team Development and Engine Design. www.uyrs.com

The nationally acclaimed Urban Youth Racing School was founded by Sports Marketing expert, Anthony Martin in 1998. UYRS is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, with a second program in Washington DC. The school is set to expand into other markets and exposes inner city youth to Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) careers within the Racing Industry.  For more information please visit www.uyrs.com . The school is fueled by national sponsors like GM, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR, Sears, Microsoft, AAA and many others, which enables the school to purchase the cars. The UYRS has received national media attention from Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN Network & Magazine, USA Today, NASCAR.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, RPM 2Night, as well as ABC, NBC and CBS News. Contact: Kristen Zabaglo                                                                                                            Tel: 805.494.0756 x113Cell Phone: 805.551-9977Email: kzabaglo@piloti.com