| As a part of AAA Foundation's campaign to reduce | | | | can help teens master these skills and become safer |
| vehicle accidents involving teen drivers ages 15 to 20, | | | | drivers at " |
| David Ragan, one of the youngest drivers in NASCAR | | | | "In racing, we rely on trained professionals to prepare |
| is working in conjunction with AAA to educate teen | | | | and maintain our vehicles. Teens also need to have |
| drivers about the significance of safe driving as well as | | | | their vehicles inspected and maintained by qualified |
| car maintenance inspection. During the 2007 NASCAR | | | | technicians. Many young people start by driving older |
| NEXTEL Cup Series last February, David Ragan, aged | | | | cars and trucks with a lot of miles on them. They need |
| 21 finished the race obtaining the 5th spot. | | | | to have brakes, steering components and suspensions |
| David Ragan will travel in schools and other institutions | | | | checked. Tires, lights, fluid lines and other items that can |
| across the United States to speak with youngsters | | | | wear out need attention too. That's something AAA's |
| and discuss the safety measures and maintenance | | | | Approved Auto Repair program can help them with. |
| check tips for their vehicles. Ragan will also share his | | | | By driving for AAA and its 50 million members this |
| safe driving techniques and demonstrate them. In fact, | | | | year - and taking the opportunities they are providing |
| Ragan has already visited some high schools in | | | | to speak with teen drivers - I'm hoping I can shorten |
| Daytona Beach and in Las Vegas and performed | | | | the learning curve and improve the margin of safety |
| some demo. | | | | for people not much younger than myself." he |
| According to David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 AAA | | | | continued. |
| Ford Fusion in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup | | | | Meanwhile, according to a research conducted by the |
| Series: "I know the challenges young drivers face. | | | | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| There are a lot of temptations and distractions that | | | | (NHTSA), there are mote than 300,000 teens aged 15 |
| can cause inexperienced drivers to loose focus. | | | | to 20 are injured in car crashes every year and nearly |
| Managing the driving environment and anticipating what | | | | 8,000 are involved in fatal crashes. NHTSA also said |
| can happen on the road is as important for teen | | | | that more than 3,500 teens are killed in these car |
| drivers as it is for professional race car drivers. Part of | | | | crashes each year. Moreover, NHTSA also said that |
| the process is being mentally prepared to drive, | | | | young drivers "are more likely to speed, run red lights, |
| buckling up and thinking about the conditions under | | | | make illegal turns, and die in SUV rollover." Teen drivers |
| which you will be driving. It also has to do with not | | | | should get the Jeep Patriot SUV with quality Jeep |
| allowing your attention to wander from the road, | | | | thermostat and Side Occupant Protection System to |
| anticipate turns, change lanes or know when to slow | | | | avoid injuries during rollover crashes. |
| down or speed up. AAA has training materials that | | | | |