Media Contact:
Anne Guertin
OSRAM SYLVANIA
(978) 750-2225
anne.guertin@sylvania.com
Mary Ingram-Schatz
Haggman, Inc.
(212) 600-4469
mary@haggman.com
Stay Safe on the Road During the Summer Driving Season
OSRAM SYLVANIA offers tips for seniors and seniors
HILLSBORO, N.H., May 18, 2009 – Spring and summer bring out the drivers. High school students hit the roads for prom, graduation, summer fun and summer jobs. Senior citizens get out more to see family, shop and enjoy the weather. Unfortunately, both high school seniors and senior citizens are at higher risk for dangerous traffic accidents.
Studies show that vision, hearing, and reaction time decline with age, while teen drivers tend to underestimate dangerous situations. Fortunately, there are tips to help seniors and seniors stay safe on the road.
Help improve safety and visibility by upgrading to high-performance headlights like SYLVANIA SilverStar® ULTRA headlights.
Joseph Verbanic, Marketing Director for SYLVANIA automotive lighting explains, “Better lighting helps keep you safer on the road by improving reaction time and increasing visibility. SilverStar ULTRA bulbs are up to 50 percent brighter and increase down-road visibility by up to 40 percent when compared to worn standard bulbs.”
Looking farther down the road gives you time to recognize and avoid hazards like road debris, lane restrictions, traffic congestion, animals, pedestrians and other road hazards.
Drivers of any age should NEVER drink and drive and ALWAYS follow the rules of the road.
According to the National Center for Disease Control, nearly a quarter of teens who die in automobile crashes each year are legally drunk, and 38 percent are speeding. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact in a collision. Although teenagers may feel invincible, following the rules of the road is crucial for safety.
Headlights dim over time, so you should check your headlights annually and always replace them in pairs.
Headlights dim up to 20 percent over time. “Many senior citizens tell us that they thought they were losing their vision, but actually the problem was that their headlights were dimming,” says Verbanic. Cleaning headlights when you wash your car can help minimize glare that is intensified by dust and dirt on the glass. It is also important to replace headlights in pairs to avoid uneven illumination, which can diminish driving visibility and distract oncoming traffic.
Beware of Intersections.
According to some reports, over 80 percent of all city collisions involving injury or death occur within signal-light intersections . Drivers of any age can reduce this risk by slowing down before entering any intersection and looking both left and right. Cover the brake, by moving your foot from the accelerator to just above the brake pedal, to minimize reaction time when braking. Also, understand that the majority of collisions occur within four seconds of the light change, so be patient and look carefully to make sure that the other drivers have cleared the intersection.
Try choosing your route for safety rather than speed. Avoid crowded roads and limit rush hour travel.
For new drivers, or senior citizens concerned about safety, there is no reason to add to risk in order to save a few minutes. Leaving a bit early can reduce stress and increase safety on the road.
For more tips, visit www.sylvania.com/auto.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting
OSRAM SYLVANIA, together with OSRAM GmbH, is the world leader in automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. The company’s global automotive lighting division has its principal North American operations in Hillsboro, N.H., with nearly 600 employees. In addition to TS 16949, this facility has also achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. Automotive Lighting designs, develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art automotive light sources, including auxiliary, advanced halogen, LED and high-intensity discharge lighting for interior, exterior and forward lighting applications. More than 400 lamp types are produced for cars, trucks, and electronics in facilities throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Automotive applications for OEMs are marketed under the OSRAM brand while products for the aftermarket are sold under the SYLVANIA brand. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com/auto.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy-saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com.
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