BGCA, UPS Foundation Drive Change With National UPS Road Code Program

ATLANTA, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Each day, more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in car crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also cites motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers, many of whom admit to engaging in distracting activities while driving. Leading the charge to combat this ever-growing issue, The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, created UPS Road Code, a national program to teach safe driving techniques to teens. The Foundation teamed up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and established the program on a small scale in 2009 in local Clubs across 10 cities. Today, BGCA and The UPS Foundation announce they have expanded the program to new markets, making the highly successful program available in 52 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout 36 U.S. cities.

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Rules of the Road

UPS Road Code is largely based on the same safety training used by UPS's own drivers, who are known for their safe driving techniques. In fact, UPS's 102,000 drivers worldwide log more than three billion miles per year with less than one accident per million miles driven. Taught by more than 150 UPS employees trained as volunteer instructors, UPS Road Code provides teens with four sessions of classroom-based instruction, as well as time "behind the wheel" of a virtual driving simulator.

The program focuses on different safety principles each week, from basic instruction to the consequences of risky behaviors such as talking on cell phones, texting or drinking while driving. Throughout the program, teens have a chance to practice what they've learned on the driving simulators, which feature a computer screen that serves as a windshield to the program's interactive animation, a steering wheel and life-like gas and brake pedals.

Full Speed Ahead

With the recent addition of 22 new cities to the program, UPS Road Code now reaches a total of 5,200 teenagers nationwide. BGCA and The UPS Foundation kicked off the expanded program in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 22, 2012.

The event featured a dynamic video about UPS Road Code, driving simulators for attendees to experience, an obstacle course that challenged participants' road safety skills, a safe driving quiz and a variety of other activities. Representatives from BGCA and The UPS Foundation, as well as a UPS Road Code teen graduate, were on-hand to interact with attendees and speak on the importance of teen driving safety. Former Boys & Girls Club member Spud Webb was also in attendance to show his support for safety behind the wheel and to help celebrate UPS Road Code's exciting road ahead.

Hitting the Road for Safety

Following the national launch in March, BGCA and The UPS Foundation will continue to drive awareness of the program and educate teens by hosting free community events at local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. Events will include fun activities and challenges, as well as the chance for attendees to interact with the driving simulators. Participants will also have the opportunity to sign a safe driving petition, reflecting the nation's collective commitment to safety. In an effort to drive change within several communities, UPS Road Code is making special stops in six cities nationwide, including Cleveland, Indianapolis, Memphis, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Richmond.

As UPS Road Code rolls out, teens will have the opportunity to make a difference and drive change for themselves and their peers. Using social media channels, teens can share online tools and resources developed to support the safe driving program. From tips and important safety information to interactive online activities and a safe driving petition, teens will be fully armed to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

"The UPS Road Code program is more than just a safe-driving program; it's about empowering teens to be ambassadors for safety and encouraging them to act as catalysts for driving change," states Myron Gray, president, U.S. Operations. "UPS Road Code provides the information and the resources to help teens make our roads safer, starting with themselves and spreading to family, friends and beyond."

The Road Code program is now available to teens at Boys & Girls Clubs in the following cities:

1. Atlanta, Ga.
2. Birmingham, Ala.
3. Boston, Mass.
4. Carson, Calif.
5. Chicago, Ill.
6. Cleveland, Ohio
7. Dallas, Texas
8. Elk River, Minn.
9. Farmington Hills, Mich.
10. Houston, Texas
11. Indianapolis, Ind.
12. Jackson, Miss.
13. Jersey City, N.J.
14. Laguna Beach, Calif.
15. Las Vegas, Nev.
16. Little Rock, Ark.
17. Los Angeles, Calif.
18. Louisville, Ky.
19. Memphis, Tenn.
20. Miami, Fla.
21. Minneapolis, Minn.
22. New Orleans, La.
23. New York, N.Y.
24. Oakland, Calif.
25. Omaha, Neb.
26. Orlando, Fla.
27. Philadelphia, Pa.
28. Phoenix, Ariz.
29. Richmond, Va.
30. San Francisco, Calif.
31. San Juan Capo, Calif.
32. Scottsdale, Ariz.
33. Seattle, Wash.
34. Tampa, Fla.
35. Washington, District of Columbia
36. Zionsville, Ind.

Teens, parents and others interested in learning more about safe driving and the UPS Road Code program should visit www.ups.com/roadcode or www.bgca.org/roadcode. For regular updates about the program and the national and local events, as well as helpful tips, follow UPS Road Code on www.facebook.com/roadcode.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.

About The UPS Foundation

The UPS Foundation, which is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national and global communities, has led UPS's corporate citizenship efforts for more than 60 years. In 2011, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $93.3 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation.

SOURCE The UPS Foundation; Boys & Girls Clubs of America