ADVISORY/Experts Available to Discuss Increased Car Crashes Involving Teen Drivers and Safe Driving on Prom Night

Business Wire, May 7, 2003

Business Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

TOPIC: A 17-year-old from South Carolina was charged with reckless homicide when he had a head-on collision with another vehicle on his way home from prom, according to wistv.com. The driver of the other vehicle was killed. In 2002, there were 100 more crashes in the United States that involved young drivers than in 2001.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story: -0-

Richard (Dick) Raines, president of CARFAX, Inc., is primarily
involved with the management and growth of CARFAX, as well as key
e-commerce initiatives underway at R. L. Polk & Co., their parent
company. As his sons approached driving age, Mr. Raines, like most
parents, began to do research to help get his kids on the roads
safely. What he learned shocked him. Not only are motor vehicles
crashes the leading cause of death among teen drivers, but there was
no central location for parents or teens to go to gain additional
information not found in the driving books distributed by the DMV or
through driving schools. As CARFAX was already in the automobile
industry, helping people make better decisions on purchasing safe and
reliable used cars, Mr. Raines began to examine this issue in greater
depth. CARFAX learned that parents want and need more safety
information and tips for teaching their teenagers to drive, but
weren't always sure how or where to find it. That was the impetus
behind the CARFAX Safe Teen Drivers Program. To bridge the gap CARFAX
put in place what it does best, compile and distribute valuable
information. CARFAX, with other industry and safety experts, created
an online resource center that offers parents, teens and educations a
variety of information ranging from driving tips for your teen, news
stories, links to valuable resources and much more.
PR: Leigh-Anne Dennison, 703-934-2664 x186,
leigh-annedennison@carfax.com

Gary Direnfeld, of I Promise Program, is an accomplished social
worker. Gary developed the I Promise Program to promote teen driver
safety and reduce the risk of his own son's involvement in a car
crash. The I Promise Program has gone from conception to launch to the
international stage in just two years. (www.ipromiseprogram.com)
Throughout his career, Gary has maintained a private counseling
practice through which he has long since been identified as an expert
in family therapy and social work by Ontario courts. Today Gary is
sought after by such diverse groups as daycares, schools, parents,
community organizations, insurance companies and more, to talk on
issues ranging from child behavior management and development; to
family life; to business development and marketing from a socially
responsible position.
905-628-4847,
gary123@sympatico.ca

Professor John Lee, of the University of Iowa, is an expert regarding
driving safety, car accidents and psychology.
319-384-0810

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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