Nationwide Insurance officially launched its 2008 DWD – Driving While Distracted – national campaign in conjunction with its sponsorship of the Nationwide Series. Nationwide will bring NASCAR drivers to local high schools throughout the country to drive home the message that multitasking behind the wheel puts drivers and their fellow motorists at risk. Students and community members will receive a firsthand look at the impact driving while distracted has on their driving abilities while racing in a NASCAR simulator. The first event in Nationwides national campaign kicks off Wednesday, April 2, 2008 with drivers Kenny Wallace and Brad Coleman in the Dallas/Fort Worth area at Southlake Carroll Senior High School. In addition to spreading the message of dangers of driving while distracted, the local events will provide race fans an opportunity to get driver autographs, clock the fastest time in a NASCAR racing simulator, meet local Nationwide agents and win prizes. The grand prize for the sweepstakes at the local event is the Nationwide VIP Experience at Texas Motor Speedway, which includes behind-the-scenes NASCAR and ESPN tours. No purchase is necessary, and fans age fourteen and over can enter at the events. Fans can look for similar events throughout the 2008 NASCAR season. Nationwide and the National Safety Council developed www.NationwideSmartRide.com, a Website to provide parents and teens free tools and resources to help develop safe drivers and reinforce smart behavior. It is available free to anyone regardless of whether they are a Nationwide customer.(Nationwide PR)(4-2-2008)
