This Holiday Season, Parents Can Give the Gift That Can Save Lives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2004 -- You've seen the twisted wreckage on the local news. You've read the tragic headlines in the papers. But did you know that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities in the U.S.? In fact, most years they are responsible for more teen deaths than suicide and homicide combined.

Parents and guardians can do something about this problem -- and give their teenagers a great gift at the same time. driver-ZED ("Zero Errors Driving") is an innovative, high-interest CD-ROM that helps teens become safer drivers.

Developed by the non-profit AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, driver-ZED takes teens where driving manuals, books and videos can't -- into an interactive experience that puts them in the virtual driver's seat. From this realistic vantage point, teens navigate through more than 80 live-action highway, city and country scenarios. They learn how to handle a wide range of potential risks, from a child chasing a ball into the street to aggressive drivers who tailgate.

"Our research shows that poor risk management is a factor in a high percentage of crashes involving teen drivers," says Peter Kissinger, AAAFTS president and CEO. "So we developed driver-ZED to help young people improve their ability to identify and avoid potential risks in the driving environment."

Since 1947, AAAFTS has funded over a hundred research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes and ways to prevent them. The organization has also created dozens of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. So it's not surprising that driver-ZED features tips on important topics every young driver should know about, including zero tolerance laws and night driving. Teens will even learn how to use anti-lock brakes properly.

"It would take most novice drivers several years to acquire the array of experiences this product offers," says J. Fairley Washington, AAAFTS communications director. "Best of all, teens can improve their decision- making skills from the safety of their own homes, where mistakes lead to a lower score, not lost lives."

driver-ZED is Windows-ready and a breeze to install on most PCs. It's also very affordable compared to other computer-based driving programs that can cost up to three times as much. In addition, school boards, community organizations and other groups interested in purchasing large quantities will be eligible for discounts.

"Considering most shoot 'em up computer games are priced well over $50 and fail to offer a single long-term benefit, we think is driver-ZED is a fantastic idea for holiday gift givers," says Kissinger. "And parents can rest assured that driver-ZED's realistic graphics and engaging challenges will draw rave reviews from even the most discerning recipients."

driver-ZED is priced at $12.95 and is available for purchase through the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's web site at http://www.aaafoundation.org/ or by calling 800-305-SAFE.