vIQ^SM Education Programs Drives Home Responsibility

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Since its launch in September 2001, Verizon Wireless' vIQSM, or "vehicle Intelligence Quest," educational curriculum that teaches new drivers about wireless safety behind the wheel has been seen by approximately 800,000 students across the country for the school year 2001-2002.

vIQ, designed to be part of the driver education curricula, is packaged with an instructive Educator's Guide and video for educators to view with their students. Verizon Wireless, the first wireless carrier to launch a program of this kind, leverages vIQ to help reinforce the company's industry-leading position on the importance of responsible driving and functions as an extension of Verizon Wireless' "Drive Responsibly. Call with Care." campaign.

"Considering how many teenagers use cell phones everyday, this program is a great way to deliver a very important message about responsibility while driving," said Don Bowling, driver education teacher of Athens High School in Alabama. "The video's creative animation captures the students' attention and displays different hands-free options that are critical for teenagers to be aware of as they learn to drive."

"I encourage drivers education instructors to take advantage of this resource generously provided by Verizon Wireless," said Franklin Garcia, driver education program manager, for New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department. "The professional manner in which this program was developed grabs the attention of teenagers with animation and humor while enhancing the safety objectives of any drivers education curriculum."

The program presents three real-life scenarios incorporating challenges that drivers face daily and encourages new drivers to consider their driving aptitude while educating them about the options for using wireless technologies in the vehicle. The vIQ kit takes the instructor through the program step-by-step. Breakout activities are also included to give instructors and their students an opportunity to think and talk about the issues of vehicle safety and wireless phone usage. The educational package is available complimentary to educators, schools, libraries and drivers education instructors throughout the United States. To order a copy of the video and for more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/responsibledriving.

Verizon Wireless is committed to educating the public on the responsible in-vehicle use of wireless phones and as the U.S. wireless industry leader, puts its strength behind its "Drive Responsibly. Call with Care." program to extend the message to new drivers.

"The goal of our vIQ program is to educate new drivers about making smart choices from the onset of their driving careers. We carefully developed this program to reach out to teenagers in their voice - the program has been an overwhelming success and the curriculum has been adopted in many driving classes across the country," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "For those who choose to talk and drive, Verizon Wireless believes hands-free technologies can help improve attentiveness to driving. vIQ helps teenagers assess their aptitude to make the smartest decision."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

To update your profile or remove yourself from automatic News Delivery, please visit the Verizon Wireless Customized News Service Center.

####