Media

Contact

Denine Snyder, Michael Cenzi Racing Public Relations
denine@michaelcenziracing.com or (239) 707-5029

David Pojero, Area Executive, AAA Auto Club South
dpojero@aaasouth.com or (239) 939-6500

AAA & Auto Club South Traffic Safety Foundation form
partnership with Michael Cenzi Racing to Curb Distracted Driving

NAPLES, FLORIDA, June 28, 2011 --- AAA, The Auto Club South Traffic Safety Foundation and professional racecar driver Michael Cenzi are excited to announce their partnership of a new public service campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

The campaign, Stay Focused – Don’t Text and Drive features racecar driver and “Naples Speedster” Michael Cenzi, with the no. 92 AAA Super Late Model car. Cenzi is in his 12th year as a racecar driver and is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Some common distracted driving behaviors include chatting on a cell phone, texting, eating, grooming, and even talking with other passengers while driving.

Teens are especially vulnerable to distracted driving because social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are a primary way of staying in touch with friends and it’s very tempting to utilize these mobile apps instead of staying fully focused on the road ahead. As a teenager himself, Michael will focus on talking to his peers about how a few seconds of inattention can lead to life-long devastation. Distracted drivers take their eyes off the road an average of 5 out of every 6 seconds. At 55 mph, that means a texting driver travels the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road. “I enjoy keeping up with my friends,” said Michael Cenzi, “but when I’m driving, the text or call can wait. It’s not worth my life.”

This attitude is also critical as a racecar driver. “Hitting speeds of over 100 mph, I understand how important it is to stay fully focused anytime I’m behind the wheel” said Cenzi. “People die because they think they can multi-task while driving. But, driving requires your hands, eyes and mind working together in order for you and others to be safe on the road.”

For the next year, Michael will be racing the AAA sponsored Super Late Model car as well as touring throughout Florida to speak about the dangers of distracted driving (race schedule and calendar of appearances found at www.michaelcenziracing.com). Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. The AAA sponsorship brings awareness of the many resources available for beginner drivers and their parents found at www.TeenDriving.AAA.com including a free teen membership for those who are eligible.

The Auto Club South Traffic Safety Foundation, Inc. (ACSTSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to a significant and continuous reduction in traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in the communities targeted by its efforts. In addition to creating new traffic safety programs, the Foundation will expand AAA’s already life-saving programs such as the AAA School Safety Patrol program. ACSTSF is funded by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions from organizations and individuals who support ACSTSF’s purpose.