DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Nationwide Insurance teamed up with NASCAR Nationwide Series stars Michael Annett and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Petty Safe Driving and StreetSmarts Drivers Education to help Des Moines-area high school students understand the dangers of driving while distracted and the need for them to be safe drivers.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re going 190 at Daytona or 65 on I-35. The slightest distraction can make a huge impact.”
Today’s 2.5-hour program in Clive helped students explore ways to focus on safe driving. Students learned skills in a classroom setting and then went out into the parking lot to practice what they learned.
“Being a young adult from the Iowa area, it was great to team with local students and demonstrate safety behind the wheel. I know how difficult it is to maintain a racecar, and keeping your eyes on the road in your everyday vehicle is just the same,” said Michael Annett, driver of the No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota. “It doesn’t matter if you’re going 190 at Daytona or 65 on I-35. The slightest distraction can make a huge impact.”
The real driving experience tests the students’ driving skills, gives them a chance to practice how to respond in dangerous situations and helps them better manage through hazardous driving situations. Modules include straight line braking and crash avoidance.
“It’s an honor to team up with Nationwide Insurance to help educate students on the importance of safe driving,” said Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., driver of the No. 6 CitiFinancial Ford Fusion. “Staying focused when you are behind the wheel is something everyone needs to do, whether it is on the racetrack or driving home from work.”
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Nationwide Insurance brought the NASCAR drivers to speak to the young drivers so they could highlight that safe driving is important to everyone, even professional drivers.
Nationwide and the National Safety Council developed www.NationwideSmartRide.com, a Website to provide parents and teens free tools and resources to help develop safe drivers and reinforce smart behavior. This defensive driving training site available free to anyone regardless of whether they are a Nationwide customer.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including car insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series logo and word mark are used under license by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NASCAR ® and the NASCAR logo are registered trademarks of the National Association for Stock Auto Racing, Inc. Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance, and the Nationwide Frame mark are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
