ABS ALLIANCE RELEASES NEW EDUCATIONAL VIDEO

Focus on controlled steering underscores value of anti-lock brakes in emergencies

Las Vegas, Nev. - Recognizing that driver education is a significant factor in reducing traffic accidents, the ABS Education Alliance has released a new educational video aimed at teaching drivers how to properly use 4-wheel anti-lock braking systems. The video, which runs approximately seven minutes, is available for $8.95 (the cost to duplicate and ship the video) for educators or individuals who want to learn more about using ABS.

"The new ABS education video is an important tool for teaching drivers how to safely and properly operate their anti-lock brakes," said Rosemarie Kitchin, spokesperson for the Alliance. "We've found that many drivers who have ABS-equipped vehicles have never learned the fundamental difference between conventional braking systems and ABS. This video is designed to teach correct ABS usage - and potentially save a driver's life in an emergency."

The video incorporates testimonials by adult drivers who have used ABS to successfully avoid a crash. It focuses on driver safety by emphasizing the most significant factor in 4-wheel ABS braking systems: A driver making a unplanned stop should always keep his foot firmly on the brake and apply continuous pressure while steering the car out of danger. The brake pedal pulsations the driver may feel and the mechanical noise the driver may hear are signals that ABS is working properly.

Individuals or groups may order the new video by sending a check or money order for $8.95 to ABS Education Alliance, c/o MEMA, P.O. Box 13966, 10 Laboratory Drive, Research Triangle Park, N.C., 27709-3966. The Alliance video may be duplicated in its entirety and passed along to others at no charge.

"Our goal is education and safety," said Kitchin. "We encourage users to copy and share our video."

The ABS Alliance also provides brochures free of charge to individuals and educators, and has developed a curriculum for teaching proper use of ABS that can be downloaded from its Web site, www.abs-education.org. The Alliance also has a tollfree telephone number, 800/ABS-8958, operating in the United States and Canada . It provides information about anti-lock braking systems and offers callers the opportunity to order the Alliance's brochure.

The ABS Education Alliance, a non-profit coalition representing four U.S. anti-lock braking system (ABS) manufacturers, Robert Bosch Corp., Delphi Chassis, ITT Automotive and LucasVarity, works with industry, government, education and safety groups, and the media to educate drivers about the effective use of ABS in emergency braking and stopping situations.

For more information about ABS, visit the ABS Education Alliance Web site, www.abs-education.org.