Cingular Wireless Asks Teen Drivers to 'Be Sensible'

ATLANTA, March 26 -- Cingular Wireless, the second largest wireless carrier in the nation, today announced that it has produced a free, comprehensive resource for health, safety and driving educators nationwide. Cingular created ``Be Sensible: Don't drive yourself to distraction,'' a teen program including a video, detailed educator's guide, educational wall poster and classroom activities to help teenage students overcome driver distraction.

``As Cingular continues to introduce new wireless products and services, which are increasingly popular among teens, we have an opportunity and an obligation to educate them about the safe and courteous ways to use wireless devices,'' says Virginia Vann, chief marketing officer for Cingular Wireless. ``With Cingular's upbeat brand image of self-expression, humor and intelligence, there is no wireless provider more poised to reach the teen audience.''

Cingular is producing the program as a part of the company's national wireless safety and courtesy initiative called ``Be Sensible,'' with technical guidance provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) and the Driving School Association of the Americas (DSAA).

``Most teens recognize the dangers of alcohol, drugs, speeding and reckless driving, but few realize the dangers of driving while being distracted by ordinary, everyday activities,'' says Dr. Brad Bradshaw, executive director, ADTSEA. ``We are pleased that Cingular has produced a progressive, comprehensive program that will greatly assist teachers in educating young drivers on how to recognize and manage driver distractions.''

Recent NHTSA research shows that driver distractions contribute to one in four automobile collisions. In addition, a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study demonstrated that drivers under the age of 20 are most susceptible to driving distractions.

The primary message of the program is that driving safely should be the student's first priority. Cingular recommends that teens do not use a wireless device when driving during their graduated-licensing period except in the case of emergencies.

Specifically, Cingular's video and curriculum guide offers teens, who are learning to drive, suggestions on how to avoid common distractions by making smart choices, such as:

* Wait until you come to a complete stop at a traffic light or stop sign before changing radio stations or CDs. * When picking up fast food, make the time to enjoy your food inside the restaurant or take the food home. If you're traveling with someone, take turns eating and driving. * Don't be a "rubbernecker." Let your passengers do the sight seeing for you. * If your wireless phone rings, ask your passenger to answer it, or if you are alone, let the call go to voicemail. If you must make or place a call, pull off the road, well away from traffic, into a safe, busy, well-lit area.

The ``Be Sensible: Don't drive yourself to distraction'' program is designed for high school students in health, safety and driver's education classes. All program materials are currently available for delivery to teachers at no charge by Cingular Wireless through the Video Placement Worldwide (VPW) Web site, www.vpw.com .