PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO EDUCATE DRIVERS ABOUT NEW SAFETY FEATURES IN VEHICLES

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LAS VEGAS (April 1, 2016) - The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) today announced a partnership with the MyCarDoesWhat campaign - a research-driven campaign created by the National Safety Council and University of Iowa to help raise awareness of new safety features in vehicles that can help prevent crashes and reduce deaths and injuries.


Research conducted by the University of Iowa shows that most consumers are unsure about how potentially life-saving vehicle safety features work. Research reveals that if consumers are not introduced to one of these new safety features within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership, they are very unlikely to fully and properly utilize these features.


“While our cars are getting safer, we might not be taking advantage of the new safety features on our cars as much as we can be,” said Peter Welch, president of NADA. “A blind spot monitoring system can't help you if you don't have it turned on, and automatic emergency braking isn't going to keep you safe if you think it's a substitute for being an active, alert driver. As the main touch point for consumers considering new car purchases, dealers have a very natural role to play here. And by working together, hopefully we can close the consumer education gap, and achieve our shared goal of getting drivers to feel comfortable and confident with all their vehicles have to offer on the safety front.”


The MyCarDoesWhat campaign was created to educate consumers about how to best interact with these safety features to promote safer driving experiences. The initiative uses multi-media educational tools, public service announcements, consumer-friendly videos and graphics, as well as brochures, fact sheets, a new game app and social media platform to educate drivers.


“If motor vehicle crashes were a disease, vehicle safety technologies could be the cure,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “Through this partnership, it is our hope that making these materials available to new car owners will pique their curiosity, and they will take the time to learn about the new technology they're driving home.”


For more information visit MyCarDoesWhat.org and follow MyCarDoesWhat on Twitter and Facebook.

More than 25,000 new-car and -truck dealers and their managers, as well as dealers from over 30 countries, auto industry executives and exhibitor staff attended the 2016 NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas.

Founded in 1917, NADA will celebrate its 100-year anniversary during the 2017 NADA Convention & Expo in New Orleans, which will run from Jan. 26-29.

View the complete convention coverage