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A press release from Sylvania Automotive Lighting:

HILLSBORO, N.H., August 29, 2012 – In an effort to share an important lesson in back-to-school safety, SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting and Alison Rhodes, the Safety Mom, have joined forces to remind drivers to remove distractions and practice safe driving habits in order to see and be seen this back-to-school driving season.

“Drivers should be aware that distractions, unsafe driving and limited visibility can create dangerous driving situations for everyone involved,” said Rhodes. “With kids back to school and more pedestrians and motorists heading to and from school and after-school activities, drivers should remain extra cautious and consistently practice safe driving habits.”

With the addition of families on the go in rush hour traffic once school is back in session, the after-school hours have become one of the most dangerous times for both drivers and children, and not just in school zones. In fact, research shows that the rate of people killed in vehicle accidents is higher between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. than any other time throughout the day.

SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting and the Safety Mom offer the following tips to help ensure safe travel for parents and kids during the back-to-school driving season:

  • · Drive Without Distractions – According to AAA, distractions are a factor in up to 80 percent of crashes. Eliminating distractions and stowing cell phones, MP3 players and other disruptions can help drivers to stay safe and alert on the roads.
  • · Set a Good Example – Many teens mirror their parents’ driving habits, and research shows that parents are just as likely to drive distracted as teens. According to a Consumer Reports survey, 48 percent of the young drivers surveyed said they had witnessed a parent talking on a cell phone while driving. Similarly, nearly half of the 16- to 21-year-olds surveyed said they had made a call behind the wheel.
  • · See and Be Seen – Visibility is imperative to safe driving, particularly at dawn and dusk when children may be walking to or from school. According to SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting, headlights can dim up to 20 percent in a few years – meaning that if drivers can’t remember the last time their vehicles’ headlight bulbs were changed, now is a good time to do so. Upgrading to a whiter, brighter headlight can provide more downroad and sideroad visibility – and this improved visibility can make all the difference between a close call and an accident.

“In addition to eliminating distractions and being a good role model, upgrading a vehicle’s headlights can help create a safer driving experience,” said Joe Verbanic, Marketing Manager for SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting. “For everyone from inexperienced teen drivers to veteran commuters, the improved visibility as a result of whiter, brighter headlights provides a little more reaction time. In addition, the brighter light gives kids at the bus stop or crossing the road a better opportunity to see oncoming traffic.”

For more information from OSRAM SYLVANIA on improving driving visibility, visit www.sylvania.com/auto or www.facebook.com/sylvaniaautomotive.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting
OSRAM SYLVANIA, together with OSRAM AG, is the world leader in automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. The company’s global automotive lighting division has its principal North American operations in Hillsboro, N.H., with nearly 600 employees. In addition to TS 16949, this facility has also achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. Automotive Lighting designs, develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art automotive light sources, including auxiliary, advanced halogen, LED and high-intensity discharge lighting for interior, exterior and forward lighting applications. More than 400 lamp types are produced for cars, trucks, and electronics in facilities throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Automotive applications for OEMs are marketed under the OSRAM brand while products for the aftermarket are sold under the SYLVANIA brand.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and services, specializing in innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.