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AirTouch to Support Driver Education

12 May 1999

AirTouch to Support Driver Education; High School Curriculum Package Teaches Safe Use of Cell Phones

    SEATTLE--May 11, 1999--AirTouch Cellular today introduced a curriculum package designed to teach young drivers that, when operating a car, the first responsibility is safe driving.
    Today, the educational video and printed materials are being sent free of charge to the 240 school districts in Washington, and in coming months to school districts throughout all states served by AirTouch's Western Region.
    "AirTouch, through its community relations program, is making the Cellular Telephone Safety Test video and printed materials available free to high school drivers' education programs throughout the state," said Brian Shay, AirTouch's Western Region executive vice president and general manager. "While cellular phones can be an invaluable tool -- in contacting emergency personnel or helping others in need -- we want to help train young drivers how to use a cellular phone safely."
    Produced to appeal to teenagers, the video uses seven scenarios to teach safe driving and responsible cell phone use. In addition, eight safety tips reinforce the video's message that safety is a driver's first responsibility.
    "We developed this program because cellular phones have become a way of life for many drivers," Shay explained. "And it is apparent that any number of activities -- including eating, playing with the radio or CD, talking with passengers, or irresponsible use of a wireless phone -- can distract a driver. We hope this program will help drivers develop good habits and an awareness of the need to focus on their main responsibility: safe driving."
    AirTouch is sending the Cellular Telephone Safety Test program free to traffic safety education coordinators in 240 school districts in Washington. Districts desiring more copies of the materials can order them free of charge via a postcard in the original package.
    AirTouch serves 8 million U.S. cellular customers and operates in 22 of the top 30 U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, San Jose, Sacramento, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, and Minneapolis. AirTouch's Western Region includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
    AirTouch Communications is the largest wireless company in the world based on the more than 44 million customers served by its global ventures. AirTouch has more than 19 million customers based on its ownership share in cellular, paging and personal communications services in the United States and 12 other nations as well as the Globalstar satellite system.