SAN JOSE, CA — (Marketwired) — 07/29/15 — The Buzz Free Driving Coalition led by today unveiled details of the upcoming “” event at the San Jose Earthquakes match on August 2 vs. the Portland Timbers. Leveraging the double meaning of the Buzz Free Driving brand — No Driving While Buzzed and No Buzzing While Driving — the event will raise awareness about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving.
“As an organization we–ve always encouraged our fans to enjoy Earthquakes matches responsibly, and that starts with us emphasizing the importance of driving sober, and without distraction,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “Events like these will make our streets safer, and the Earthquakes organization is proud to be a leader in promoting driver safety within the MLS fan base.”
Each day, nearly 40 lives are lost on U.S. roadways to drunk and distracted driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013). To curb this danger, a Silicon Valley company called LifeSaver formed the Buzz Free Driving Coalition, comprised of organizations with a shared interest in promoting safe driving. Charter members include MADD San Francisco Bay Area, the California Highway Patrol, Farmers Insurance, RedCap, Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Traffic Safe Communities Network and Service King Collision Repair Centers.
The Earthquakes match, which begins at 2 pm, will feature a pregame opportunity for Earthquakes fans to take the Buzz Free Driving pledge and to learn about ways they can avoid “buzzed” driving from Coalition booths at the 7UP Epicenter inside Avaya Stadium. True to its Silicon Valley roots, the Buzz Free Driving Coalition has provided some innovative tools to help Earthquakes fans live up to their Buzz Free Driving pledge, such as the distracted driving solution; the mobile app (developed by the California Office of Traffic Safety); and the personal driver service. After the game, a VIP reception will feature an Earthquakes player meet-and-greet and speakers from organizations involved with the Buzz Free Driving Coalition, including MADD National Board Member Mary Klotzbach. For more information about game-day events at the Buzz Free Driving Day, visit .
There were 867 drunk driving fatalities in California in 2013, nearly 30% of all traffic deaths in the state. Nationally, 10,076 people were killed and more than 290,000 people were injured because of the violent — and 100 percent preventable — crime of drunk driving (2013 NHTSA FARS data).
“MADD–s ultimate goal is to create a future of No More Victims by ending drunk driving and helping to fight drugged driving. Yet we know there are additional forms of impaired driving that create other dangerous — often deadly — consequences on our roadways,” said MADD National Board Member Mary Klotzbach. “Even one life lost to impaired driving — whether it–s due to alcohol, impairing drugs or distracted driving — is one too many. That–s why we–re adamant about working with the Coalition to bring attention to these issues.”
Phone-related distracted driving accounts for at least 27% of all U.S. auto collisions (2013 National Safety Council), and this problem is growing at unprecedented rates. To help combat this epidemic, nationally renowned advocate for distraction-free driving, Jacy Good, will also speak at the post-game VIP reception. Jacy lost both her parents and almost her own life in a 2008 collision with a distracted driver, and now travels the country to advocate for safer streets, imploring people to simply .
“Cell phone use while driving is one of the greatest threats not just to drivers, but to pedestrians and cyclists alike,” said Jacy Good, founder of Hang Up And Drive. “To successfully mitigate the disastrous impact of distracted driving, we need tools like LifeSaver to help people fight the temptation to use their phones behind the wheel.”
Qualified members of the media interested in attending the Buzz Free Driving Day event may be entitled to complimentary admission and interviews with Buzz Free Driving Coalition representatives. Contact for more information.
The LifeSaver solution provides an effective approach to solving the distracted driving problem through deterrence, measurement and rewards. The LifeSaver smartphone deters the driver from using their Android or iPhone while driving. The app also measures distracted driving behavior, which is displayed through LifeSaver–s Driver Portal to the driver or their loved one, so that the driver can measure their safe driving activity and be rewarded appropriately for it. Most importantly, the LifeSaver platform builds a dialogue between kids and their parents to reinforce the importance of distraction-free driving. LifeSaver is privately held and based in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit .
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is celebrating its 35th anniversary by creating a future of NO MORE VICTIMS. MADD is the nation–s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every ten minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. MADD–s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end drunk driving through increased law enforcement, all offender ignition interlock laws and advanced vehicle technology. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their teens about alcohol, using Power of Parents®– proven approach to reduce underage drinking. Learn more by visiting MADD–s new website at madd.org or calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
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John Snedigar
Faultline Communications
408-705-7518
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