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"CLEAR TO DRIVE" CAMPAIGN EDUCATES MOTORISTS ON HOW TO PREVENT DROWSY DRIVING

Allergy Sufferer and NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Carl Edwards Drives Home the Importance of Being Alert and Focused Behind the Wheel

KENILWORTH, NJ, March 18, 2008 /PRNewswire/

ABOUT THE "CLEAR TO DRIVE" CAMPAIGN

Drowsy driving can put anyone at risk for an accident, and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards wants to help make sure motorists know how to stay alert while driving.

Edwards, who suffers from allergies, has teamed up with the makers of the non-drowsy allergy medication, CLARITIN, for the "Clear to Drive" campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of drowsy driving and offers tips for preventing this growing problem, such as making sure people know how important it is to check medicine labels for warnings about drowsiness before they get behind the wheel.

The campaign is also working to educate allergy sufferers that there are effective, non-drowsy allergy medicines, such as CLARITIN, that are safe to take when driving. Always take medications as directed.

REVEALING STATISTICS

Many drivers don't realize that some common over-the-counter medicines may cause drowsiness.

In fact, according to a recent survey, four in 10 Americans (38%) report that there have been times when they were driving and realized the medicine they had taken was making them drowsy.

CARL EDWARDS: AN ADVOCATE FOR SAFE DRIVING

As a spokesperson for the "Clear to Drive" campaign, Edwards will record a radio announcement to raise awareness about drowsy driving, which can potentially result from taking medicines that may cause drowsiness.

The radio announcement will be available on cleartodrive.com - a new Web site that will provide valuable information on safe driving. The site will also feature facts and statistics about drowsy driving and tips to help you prevent this growing problem.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING DROWSY DRIVING

  • Always remember to check medicine labels, including allergy medicines, for warnings about drowsiness before getting behind the wheel
  • Avoid driving if you're feeling drowsy
  • Schedule breaks during long trips or arrange for a travel companion
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Stop driving if you start feeling drowsy behind the wheel

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more tips on safe driving and additional information about the "Clear to Drive" campaign, visit cleartodrive.com or contact Julie Lux at (908) 298-4774 or julie.lux@spcorp.com.

For more information from Carl Edwards or others involved in the "Clear to Drive" campaign, please contact Amy Antos at (212) 704-4451 or amy.antos@edelman.com.

To speak with an allergist or other health care professional about tips for relieving allergy symptoms and the importance of reading medication labels, please contact Caitlin Allen at (212) 704-8257 or caitlin.allen@edelman.com.