Hillsboro, NH, Aug. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to share an important lesson in back-to-school safety, SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting and Alison Rhodes, the Safety Mom , have joined forces to remind drivers to remove distractions and practice safe driving habits in order to see and be seen this back-to-school driving season.
See video from SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting at:
http://inr.synapticdigital.com/sylvania/dangerousdriving
"Drivers should be aware that distractions, unsafe driving and
limited visibility can create dangerous driving situations for
everyone involved," said Rhodes. "With kids back to school and more
pedestrians and motorists heading to and from school and
after-school activities, drivers should remain extra cautious and
consistently practice safe driving habits."
With the addition of families on the go in rush hour traffic once
school is back in session, the after-school hours have become one
of the most dangerous times for both drivers and children, and not
just in school zones. In fact, research shows that the rate of
people killed in vehicle accidents is higher between the hours of 5
and 7 p.m. than any other time throughout the day.
SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting and the Safety Mom offer the following
tips to help ensure safe travel for parents and kids during the
back-to-school driving season:
• Drive Without Distractions - According to AAA,
distractions are a factor in up to 80 percent of crashes.
Eliminating distractions and stowing cell phones, MP3 players and
other disruptions can help drivers to stay safe and alert on the
roads.
• Set a Good Example - Many teens mirror their
parents' driving habits, and research shows that parents are just
as likely to drive distracted as teens. According to a Consumer
Reports survey, 48 percent of the young drivers surveyed said they
had witnessed a parent talking on a cell phone while driving.
Similarly, nearly half of the 16- to 21-year-olds surveyed said
they had made a call behind the wheel.
• See and Be Seen - Visibility is imperative to
safe driving, particularly at dawn and dusk when children may be
walking to or from school. According to SYLVANIA Automotive
Lighting, headlights can dim up to 20 percent in a few years -
meaning that if drivers can't remember the last time their
vehicles' headlight bulbs were changed, now is a good time to do
so. Upgrading to a whiter, brighter headlight can provide more
downroad and sideroad visibility - and this improved visibility can
make all the difference between a close call and an accident.
"In addition to eliminating distractions and being a good role
model, upgrading a vehicle's headlights can help create a safer
driving experience," said Joe Verbanic, Marketing Manager for
SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting. "For everyone from inexperienced teen
drivers to veteran commuters, the improved visibility as a result
of whiter, brighter headlights provides a little more reaction
time. In addition, the brighter light gives kids at the bus stop or
crossing the road a better opportunity to see oncoming
traffic."
For more information from OSRAM SYLVANIA on improving driving
visibility, visit
www.sylvania.com/auto or
www.facebook.com/sylvaniaautomotive.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting
OSRAM SYLVANIA, together with OSRAM AG, is the world leader in
automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and
the aftermarket. The company's global automotive lighting division
has its principal North American operations in Hillsboro, N.H.,
with nearly 600 employees. In addition to TS 16949, this facility
has also achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. Automotive
Lighting designs, develops, manufactures and markets
state-of-the-art automotive light sources, including auxiliary,
advanced halogen, LED and high-intensity discharge lighting for
interior, exterior and forward lighting applications. More than 400
lamp types are produced for cars, trucks, and electronics in
facilities throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Automotive
applications for OEMs are marketed under the OSRAM brand while
products for the aftermarket are sold under the SYLVANIA
brand.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and services,
specializing in innovative design and energy saving technology. The
company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily
under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand.
Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North
American operation of OSRAM AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Siemens AG. For more information, visit
www.sylvania.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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