National Press Release

DETROIT, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Takata, a global automotive safety leader, took its Safe Driver program to University Preparatory Academy (UPA) in Detroit today to teach high school students how to minimize driver distractions and make good judgments while driving - just in time for UPA's prom tonight.

Driver distraction and dangerous driving behaviors are especially prevalent during prom and graduation season. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for high-school-age students, and 70 percent of teens killed driving at night are not wearing a safety belt.

Takata's Safe Driver program brings an interactive driving simulator, a Nintendo Wii challenge and safety games to introduce students to situations where they must avoid distractions, recognize hazardous situations and make good judgments while driving. Game show "Are you smarter than a crash test dummy?" tests students on their safe driving knowledge.

Approximately 50 students took the safe driving challenge this morning at UPA. The sessions offered an engaging way to learn driver safety in an environment that felt more like an arcade experience than a classroom - but they were taught very real lessons.

"This program has a great impact on the students because they are having fun while learning," said Doug Ross, UPA superintendent. "And the timing is perfect with our prom tonight. Lessons from today's program will be fresh in students' minds."

Takata is considering additional opportunities to take its Safe Driver program to more schools and community centers in the future.

"The majority of teenagers killed at night are not wearing safety belts," said Robert Fisher, senior vice president, Takata. "As a global safety leader, this tells us we have to focus more on safety education. Safe driving habits will reduce motor vehicle-related injuries and accidents more than anything else."

Takata, the world's leading supplier of automotive safety belts, has a long history of safety innovation with a product portfolio including seat belts, front- and side-impact protection, electronics and textiles. The company, with its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, is involved in several consumer and government safety efforts, including being a corporate sponsor and active board member of the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan.

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SOURCE Takata