VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., February 22, 2012 – GEICO, along with WAVY-TV* News Channel 10 and Teens with a Purpose, are partnering with DRIVE SMART Virginia to take a stand against distracted driving among teens in the Hampton Roads community. Even Miss America and Miss Virginia will be in town to lend a hand.
On March 1, Miss Virginia’s Elizabeth Crot will be in town for a press conference at GEICO’s Virginia Beach office to kick off a month-long Distracted Driving Pledge Contest for students at local participating high schools. Students who take part in the contest will pledge to not use cellphones or texting while they’re driving, to cease eating and drinking while driving and to focus on their driving and not on their passengers.
Pledge forms are being distributed in at least 12 high schools that are participating: Booker T. Washington High School; Denbigh High School; Granby High School; Green Run High School; Indian River High School; Kellam High School; Lake Taylor High School; Landstown High School; Ocean Lakes High School; Princess Anne High School; Renaissance Academy; and Salem High School.
The school with the highest percentage of student pledges will earn a GEICO-sponsored party in April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
On March 12, Miss America Lauren Kaeppeler will appear on WAVY-TV along with GEICO’s Joe Thomas to promote the pledge contest.
"Unfortunately, teen drivers are more likely than any other age group to be involved in a fatal distraction-related crash," said Thomas, GEICO’s regional vice president. "GEICO is proud to be partnering with these organizations to take a stand against distracted driving during the next few months and beyond."
During the contest, students can post photos and videos that promote safe driving to the Distracted Driving Pledge Contest’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The winning high school will be contacted in early April and announced to the community via Facebook and Twitter.
* WVBT-TV, the sister station of WAVY-TV, is also a partner of the distracted driving pledge contest.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 11 million private passenger customers and insures more than 18 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
GEICO's online service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy changes, claims reporting and to print insurance ID cards.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
