Press Releases

RIR Cares Donates $2,000 to DRIVE SMART Virginia Distracted Driving Simulator Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07 January 2016                                                     Contact: Rich Jacobs, (804) 929-2988

RIR Cares Donates $2,000 to DRIVE SMART Virginia Distracted Driving Simulator Program

RICHMOND, VA – As part of the RIR Cares program, Richmond International Raceway is donating $2,000 to DRIVE SMART Virginia. The donation will help fund distracted driving simulator events at high schools in the Greater Richmond area.

DRIVE SMART Virginia’s in-vehicle texting-while-driving simulator presents various challenges (other vehicles, pedestrians, parked cars) as students attempt to drive while sending a few short texts.

Of 3,903 teen participants surveyed in 2015…

  • 81% of respondents said they would be less likely to text while driving after experiencing the DRIVE SMART Virginia distracted driving simulator.
  • 86% of respondents said they learned something new about texting while driving from their experience using the simulator.
  • 96% of respondents said they would recommend the simulator to their peers.
  • 91% of respondents that have taken a driver education course said that the simulator reinforced what they learned in class.

Each year, RIR Cares provides support to non-profit organizations and charitable causes to help better the Greater Richmond area and the surrounding communities.

Photo: Dennis Bickmeier, President of Richmond International Raceway, presents a check to Janet Brooking, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia (DSV photo/Rich Jacobs)

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