NEW ABS WEB SITE LAUNCHES TO HELP DRIVERS STEER TO SAFETY

Leading Manufacturers of Anti-lock Braking Systems Collaborate to Educate On-Line -- http://www.abs-education.org

Chicago, February 1998 -- The ABS Education Alliance has set its latest initiative in motion -- a comprehensive Web site (www.abs-education.org). The site is designed to offer drivers easy, online access to information about how ABS works and how to use it effectively. With nearly 50 million anti-lock braking system (ABS)-equipped vehicles now on U.S. roads, the ABS Education Alliance is expanding efforts to ensure that drivers make the most of this popular safety feature.

A non-profit educational coalition, the Alliance is dedicated to providing the public with crucial tips for proper use of ABS in emergency stopping situations.

A Critical Difference
Anti-lock braking systems began to become popular on cars and trucks sold in America in the mid '80s. Techniques for braking with ABS in sudden stop or accident avoidance situations differ greatly from methods used with conventional braking systems.

"It is important for all drivers to become familiar with ABS, whether your car is ABS-equipped or not," says Alliance director Rosemarie Kitchin. "For example, when behind the wheel of a rented or borrowed vehicle, you first need to determine if the vehicle has rear-wheel or 4-wheel ABS. Then you must use the proper technique for the braking system of that particular car."

Web Site Offers Answers
The ABS Web site targets a wide variety of audiences in addition to the general driving public, including driver education instructors, motor safety clubs, and rental car companies. Presented in five simple sections, the site is designed to allow visitors to access information quickly and easily. Highlights include:

ABCs of ABS --where concerned drivers can easily get up to speed through concise expert explanations about how the system works

Driver Ed Curriculum -- where instructors can download ABS lesson plans, quizzes and evaluations for their classes

ABS-FAQ -- where consumers can find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) on ABS. For example, "Q: How do you know your ABS is working? A: The driver usually notices a mechanical sound and can feel some pulsation or increased resistance in the brake pedal."

Education Resources -- where site visitors can learn about accessing materials for additional ABS learning, including brochures, videos, the ABS classroom curriculum, and sample ABS test questions for use on state driving exams

Alliance Newsroom -- providing up-to-date industry information, including bylined articles, press releases, and position statements

*Video clips will be added to the site later this year.

ABS Gives Drivers the Edge
Anti-lock braking systems are recognized by industry leaders as one of the most significant safety advances in modern automotive engineering. Automotive author/journalist Lesley Hazelton notes, "Anti-lock brakes could be the most important development in automobile safety in the last 50 years."

There are two kinds of anti-lock brakes -- four-wheel and rear-wheel. Four-wheel ABS, found on passenger cars and some light trucks, is designed to maintain directional stability and steerability in emergency braking situations. Rear-wheel ABS, found only on some light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), is designed to maintain directional stability in order to prevent the vehicle from skidding sideways.

Along with improving vehicle stability, steering and stopping, ABS enables drivers to handle emergency braking situations more easily when the driver keeps a firm foot on the brake at all times. Because ABS helps prevent skidding and wheel lock-up, it allows drivers to steer around hazards more easily. These capabilities offer tremendous safety benefits, through all seasons and weather conditions. With inclement weather now presenting added road challenges in many regions, the launch of the ABS Web site is well-timed to help drivers master the essential "dos and don'ts" of braking with ABS.

The ABS Education Alliance, a coalition of anti-lock braking system manufacturers, works with industry, government, education, safety groups and the media to educate drivers about the effective use of ABS systems in emergency braking and stopping situations. For more information about anti-lock brakes, consumers can visit the ABS Web site (www.abs-education.org) or call the toll-free ABS information line at 800-ABS-8958.

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