Verizon Wireless Sponsors Wireless Safety Education Program for New Drivers in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, WY — Verizon Wireless reinforced its industry-leading position on responsible driving today by providing copies of an educational kit to teach new drivers about wireless safety behind the wheel to the Wyoming Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Program. The Verizon Wireless-developed educational kit, entitled vIQ^SM, or "vehicle Intelligence Quest," encourages new drivers to consider their driving aptitude and educates them about the options for using wireless technologies in the vehicle. The vIQ kits will be available to schools and Wyoming residents via WYDOT's resource library.

"We are pleased to introduce the "vehicle Intelligence Quest" as an extension of our 'Drive Responsibly. Call with Care.' initiative, and to provide the video and printed materials without cost to Wyoming Department of Transportation education programs throughout the state," said Verizon Wireless Mountain Region President Marni Walden. "Wireless phones are a valuable tool in the car-- connecting users with emergency personnel and helping others in need. We want to help train tomorrow's drivers to use today's technology safely."

vIQ is comprised of an instructive educator's guide and an animated video. The guide takes the instructor step-by-step through the program and suggests breakout activities to give their students an opportunity to think and talk about the issues of vehicle safety and wireless phone usage. Scenarios include an emergency while driving; a driver who needs to make calls when traveling and teens trying to communicate with one another amid other distractions. The educational package is available at no cost to educators, schools, libraries and driver education instructors throughout the United States.

Verizon Wireless would like to acknowledge the assistance of following professional organizations with expertise in education and vehicle safety for their input in developing the content the program: AAA of the Carolinas; California Department of Motor Vehicles; Dept. of Health and Safety, Indiana State University; Driving School Assoc. of the Americas; Driving School Assoc. of California; Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Massachusetts State Police; NYS Education Department; The Safe America Foundation; Traffic Safety Association of Michigan.

Emmy® Award winning creative director, Peter Reynolds of FableVision Studios, scripted the animated vIQ video and educational guide. Reynolds has 17 years' experience developing educational software.

Editor's note

To order a copy of the video and for more information, contact Debra Havins at 303-694-8560 or visit (www.verizonwireless.com/responsibledriving).

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28.7 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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