Some form of driver inattention was involved in almost 80% of car crashes, and 66% of adults 18 to 24 years old reported sending a text message while driving, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Phil Caris said.
The program will educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, with an emphasis on text messaging. At the heart of the initiative is a pledge against distracted driving, available at handsonthewheel.org.
Cooper will promote the program through its network of tire dealers across North America, during stops on the Cooper Mobile Tour and on its Web site, coopertire.com.
“Hands on the Wheel delivers a message of driving safety that is important to all of us at Cooper Tire,” Caris says. “As a presenting sponsor of the Champ Car Atlantic Series, we are excited to work with Champ Car and our network of tire dealers to encourage all drivers to take the pledge against distracted driving.”
During the announcement Oct. 30 at the SEMA Show, Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow presented a proclamation from the city declaring that day as “Hands on the Wheel Day.” Several drivers, including Champ Car World Series driver Alex Tagliani and Champ Car Atlantic Championship driver Frankie Muniz, who formerly starred in the television show “Malcolm in the Middle,” signed the pledge, as well as a specially-wrapped Champ Car Atlantic Series car.
