Pittsburgh to Host SADD Toward Zero Deaths and Safe Summer Press Event

Media Invited to Test Out Ford's Drugged Driving Suit and SADD Drugged & Drowsy Behind-The-Wheel Simulator

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Jun 23, 2016, 10:36 ET

PITTSBURGH, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is bringing its powerful movement to Pittsburgh and holding the Toward Zero Deaths and Safe Summer Press Event at The Sheraton at Station Square on Tuesday, June 28.

Summer continues to be the deadliest season for teen drivers – and car crashes are the leading cause of death among them. This press event will bring together local, state and federal partners to talk about what can be done to address this public health crisis.

Hundreds of SADD students will attend the event, which will feature speakers like The Honorable Christopher Hart, Chairman of The National Transportation Safety Board; Mike Brown, Director of Impaired Driving & Occupant Protection for The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and Jonathan Adkins, Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Following the event, media is invited and encouraged to try on Ford's Drugged Driving Suit and test out SADD's new Drugged & Drowsy Behind-The-Wheel Simulator. Ford developed the Drugged Driving suit together with scientists from the respected Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany to simulate some of the effects of drugs. The suit simulates the effects of reduced mobility, vision and coordination with padding and ankle weights, goggles and headphones. SADD's interactive simulator was created in conjunction with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and allows individuals to feel the effects of not only drugged driving, but also driving while sleep deprived.

See a reporter from the LA Times try on the Ford gear here!

SADD Toward Zero Deaths Safe Summer Press Event Tuesday, June 28
9:30 AM-10AM
(Media invited to try on Ford gear and SADD gear immediately after)
The Sheraton at Station Square
Grand Station I-II Ballrooms

9:30 AM		Welcome Madeline Seel, SADD National Student of the Year Emeritus

9:32 AM		The SADD Perspective – Working Towards Zero Deaths
		Dawn Teixeira, President and CEO, SADD

9:35 AM		UR the Key Program Overview
		Felicity DeBacco-Erni, PA SADD State Coordinator

9:40 AM		The Role of States in Highway Safety Jonathan Adkins, Executive Director Governors Highway Safety Association
9:45 AM		Federal Policy The Honorable Christopher Hart, Chairman The National Transportation Safety Board

9:50 AM		Federal Support Mike Brown, Director of Impaired Driving & Occupant Protection The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
9:55 AM		Questions

10:00 AM		Closing

10:05 AM		Reporters Invited To Test Out Ford Suit and SADD Simulator

Interested in testing out the Ford Drugged Driving Suit and SADD's Simulator? Please contact Lindsey Kobelt at 419-618-1708 or [email protected].

ABOUT SADD
Now in its 35^th year, SADD is committed to empowering young people to successfully navigate the risks and pressures of everyday life. SADD is the nation's leading peer-to-peer youth health and safety organization, with thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges. SADD continually works to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities and save lives surrounding issues of traffic safety, substance abuse and personal health and safety. For more information, visit SADD.org.

SOURCE SADD