Couple Takes Aim at Walmart's Grand Prize

CrashFlasher inventors hope win will help stranded motorists

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Mar 19, 2012, 10:20 ET

RALEIGH, N.C., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- If American Idol and Shark Tank had a spin off, it would be the Walmart contest, Get On The Shelf. The retail giant is encouraging competition among people with a new product to sell. A YouTube video promoting the product was all that was needed to enter. To win, competitors need votes, just like American Idol.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120319/CL71867 )

The contest was great news to Nancy and Larry McMeekin, first-time inventors who are poised to launch their new product, a simple and innovative roadside emergency beacon called CrashFlasher™.

Like most inventions, CrashFlasher began as just an idea. "The idea for CrashFlasher came when we were traveling Alabama's busiest roadway, U.S. 280 near Birmingham," recalls Nancy McMeekin. "We were often caught behind bad accidents, and as parents of young drivers, we worried about our children's safety on this sometimes treacherous road."

As the couple researched, they discovered that disabled-vehicle accidents, in which a flat-tire, engine trouble or other problem causes a vehicle to stop along the roadway, are responsible for more crashes than people realize. "These accidents are not tracked as a separate category and may encompass several factors, such as distracted driving, an earlier fender-bender or even a Good Samaritan stopping to help someone," McMeekin says. "They are usually reported only in local media, and although tragic, are rarely well known beyond a town or region."

The McMeekins began collecting news reports of these types of crashes more than a year ago and estimate that they account for thousands of injuries and deaths each year and millions of dollars in damages. "The impact on everyone involved is terrible. We've learned that Good Samaritans are particularly at risk when stopping to help a driver with a disabled car. They need to take extra precautions."

One Iraq war veteran, who stopped to help a crash victim, became one himself when another vehicle crashed into them, causing him to lose both legs. "He is now working to became able-bodied using prosthetic legs, and we support his efforts and appreciate his service," McMeekin says.

Another tragedy earlier this month involved an 18-year-old who stopped to help along a Texas road and was hit and killed. "Our hearts go out to the victim's family, friends and all involved," says McMeekin.

What makes CrashFlasher unique is its design: a bright, battery-powered LED light is attached to a support pole that sits on a magnetized base. CrashFlasher has no loose parts and can be put together in seconds with no tools when an emergency occurs. When placed on a vehicle's roof or hood, the light extends five feet above the vehicle, enabling it to be seen over intervening traffic, warning drivers of danger ahead. McMeekin says the idea of a tall, portable emergency beacon is logical, since a car's flashers are low to the ground and may not be working in an emergency.

The Walmart contest seemed like a good way to alert the public to the disabled vehicle roadway safety issue, as well as to introduce the product, which is being manufactured and will be available in early summer. So, the McMeekins got to work making their video, which features talking CrashFlasher test dummies and can be seen at www.getontheshelf.com/product/4170/CrashFlasher.

The first round of contest voting began March 7, and will run until April 3. The top ten products will be subjected to a second round of voting, April 11-24. The top three winners will be made available for purchase on Walmart.com, and the Grand Prize winner will be put on the shelf in Walmart stores, with possible production support from Walmart.

Hoping for a win, the McMeekins envision CrashFlasher in their hometown Walmart and around the country.

"If CrashFlasher saves even one life, that will be a win, as far as we are concerned," added McMeekin.

Watch the CrashFlasher video: http://www.youtube.com/thecrashflasher

Vote for CrashFlasher: http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/4170/CrashFlasher

About The St. Christopher Project:

The St. Christopher Project, an organization dedicated to saving lives of drivers everywhere, was founded by Larry and Nancy McMeekin.

About CrashFlasher:
CrashFlasher™, developed by the St. Christopher Project, is a patent-pending LED emergency auto safety beacon that significantly improves the visibility of a stopped or disabled vehicle.

Keywords:

CrashFlasher™, Larry McMeekin, Nancy McMeekin, Get On The Shelf, Walmart

Media Contact: Lorana Price
919-342-3349; [email protected]
919-606-2817 - cell

SOURCE The St. Christopher Project