Auto Safety Expert Available to Provide Safe Driving Tips for the Winter Holidays

  Who:    Betty Mercer - Former Governor's Highway Safety Representative,
          Michigan

  What:   Essential tips for your viewers on how to stay safe on the road
          this holiday season:

    * Use Caution: Drive carefully in winter weather conditions, especially
      at intersections, where the moisture emitted from car exhaust at
      traffic lights quickly freezes on the pavement and can be especially
      hazardous.  Allow extra time to arrive at your destination and always
      buckle up.

    * Must-Have Safety features:  Widely available features, such as
      electronic stability control (ESC), can help prevent dangerous skids
      and spins before they happen.  The system also combines anti-lock
      brakes and traction control, which help you stop and start on slippery
      pavement.  Find out which vehicles offer ESC at www.esceducation.org
      or ask your local dealer.

    * Maintenance:  Make sure your antifreeze is at the proper level your
      wiper blades are new and your washer reservoir is full.  Also make
      sure your battery and tires are in good condition.

    * Emergency Preparation:  Prepare an emergency kit in case you get
      stranded during extreme weather.

  Why:    The holiday season is the busiest time of the year on America's
          roads, and this year, as Homeland Security fears linger, a near
          record number of Americans will opt to drive to their
          destinations, leading to a sharp increase in motor vehicle
          crashes.  In northern climates, the winter holiday season is
          particularly dangerous, as snow and ice creates slippery driving
          conditions on roads.

  Where:  Via Satellite.

  When:   December 18 - 22, 2003

  About Betty Mercer:

Betty Mercer is the former State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) Director and Governor's Highway Safety Representative for the State of Michigan and has more than 30 years of experience in various state government positions. Under her direction, Michigan enacted a primary enforcement safety belt law and a comprehensive package of repeat offender laws aimed at reducing drunk-driving recidivism. She received the 2001 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Michigan Leadership Award for her contributions to the reduction of impaired driving in the state and has appeared nationwide on FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC to provide her auto safety expertise.

Media Contact:

If you are interested in interviewing Ms. Mercer via satellite, please contact:

          Edwige Buteau
          Office:  212-994-7517
          Mobile:  917-655-3843
          Email:   edwige.buteau@rfbinder.com

  B-Roll:
  B-ROLL IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.  Footage includes:

    * Vehicles in wintry driving conditions with and without electronic
      stability control

PRNewswire -- Dec. 18