[February 15, 2013]

GEICO & DRIVE SMART Virginia launch pledge contest for students to combat distracted driving with Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan

GEICO along with WAVY-TV* News Channel 10 and Teens with a Purpose have partnered with DRIVE SMART Virginia to take a stand against distracted driving. Joining the Hampton Roads effort is Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan.

This week, the organizations kicked off the Distracted Driving Pledge Contest for Hampton Roads high schools. Students who take the pledge agree not to use cell phones or text while they're driving. They will also pledge to stop eating and drinking while driving and to focus on heir driving and not on their passengers.

The school with the highest percentage of student pledges will earn a GEICO-sponsored party in April, during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan will join the students at the party. She will also join GEICO's Joe Thomas on The Hampton Roads Show to promote the pledge contest.

"Last year, we were very successful in getting the students involved in taking a pledge and spreading the word about the importance of safe driving among their peers," said Joe Thomas, GEICO's regional vice president. "This year, we hope to do the same and get more young drivers to take a stand against distracted driving. Not only is it a danger to themselves, but also to everyone else on the road."

During the contest, students can post photos and videos that promote safe driving to the Distracted Driving Pledge Contest's Facebook and Twitter pages. The winning high school will be contacted in early April and announced to the community via Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter, as well as through a special public service announcement on WAVY News 10.

"Because teens have so little driving experience, any driving distraction can have a major impact," said Janet Brooking, executive director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. "The Distracted Driving Pledge Contest serves as an excellent educational tool and we are thrilled to work with GEICO to encourage teens to drive responsibly. GEICO is a valued community partner and we commend their continued commitment to address this important issue."

For more information about safe driving for teens, please visit www.geicoteendriving.com.

* WVBT-TV, the sister station of WAVY-TV, is also a partner of the distracted driving pledge contest.

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