Cell Phone Fact Sheet- Source National Safety Council Website
10/1/09 – Cell Phone Fact Sheet „X Using cell phones while driving is a very high-risk behavior with significant impact on crashes and society. More than 50 peer-reviewed scientific studies have identified the risks associated with cell phone use while driving. „X Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash. (1997 New England Journal of Medicine examination of hospital records and 2005 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study linking crashes to cell phone records.) „X No difference exists in the cognitive distraction between hand held and handsfree devices. (Simulator studies at the Univ. of Utah.) „X Many businesses and organizations understand the risk and are already taking action. Among NSC members that responded to a 2009 survey, 58 percent (1,163 out of 2,004 respondents) said their organization had a cell phone policy of some kind. Of those, 70 percent said the policy did not affect productivity and 20 percent saw decreases in employee crash rates and property damage. „X Cell phone use contributes to an estimated 6 percent of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year. (Harvard Center of Risk Analysis.) „X 80 percent of crashes are related to driver inattention. Certain activities may be more dangerous than talking on a cell phone. However, cell phone use occurs more frequently and for longer durations than other, riskier behaviors. Thus, the No. 1 source of driver inattention is cell phones. (Virginia Tech 100- car study produced for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.) „X It is estimated that more than 100 million people use cell phones while driving. (CTIA ¡V The Wireless Association reports more than 270 million cell phone subscribers. A Nationwide Insurance public opinion poll showed 81 percent of the public admitted to talking on a cell phone while driving.) „X The annual cost of crashes caused by cell phone use is estimated at $43 billion. (Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.) „X Talking to a passenger while driving is significantly safer than talking on a cell phone. (University of Utah study.)

The THIRD TIME in a Row!-- And the Winner is: DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
8/1/09 – National Safety Council Presents Highest Award to Driver Improvement Programs for THIRD TIME The National Safety Council has Awarded the STAR award, its highest award for the THIRD consecutive year to Driver Improvement Programs. To quote the description of the STAR AWARD, “This Award is presented to those Defensive Driving Course Training Centers whose accomplishments far exceed any other training center in their group. The STAR AWARD is given to those organizations that overshadow the field.” Driver Improvement Programs has been providing vehicular safety services in the downstate NY (Putnam, Westchester, Bronx, Manhattan, Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties) since 1983. The heralded company has made thousands of New York Drivers safer drivers via its classroom and other safety training programs. 19 Best Performance awards have also been received by the company for its contribution to Safety in New York. The Star Award will be presented to Driver Improvement Programs on October 25th in Orlando Florida at the 97th Annual Safety Congress of the National Safety Council by John Kennedy, Director of the Defensive Driving Courses, National Safety Council.

New Web Site Launched
6/12/09 – We are very pleased to announce the launch of our new web site at www.driver-improvement.com.

Driver Improvement Programs's Instructor Ken Lucente honored as Instructor Of the Year
3/25/09 – Ken Lucente, one of our very best instructors was selected as "Instructor of the Year" by the National Safety Council. The Award was presented last September in Anaheim, California by John Kennedy, the Executive Director of the National Safety Council. Many of our classroom clients know Ken as one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining instructors for the subject they have ever met. Ken's energy in the classroom grabs the attention of those in attendance within seconds of the start of the class. By the end of the short six hour program, Ken has converted passive "I'm here to get my discount" drivers into enthusiastic believers that what he has taught if practiced properly, will reduce the chances of bodily injury and unnecessary property damage. Ken Lucente epitomizes what we are all about.......they come for the benefits but our job is to make safer drivers before they leave.