Champ Cars promotes “Hands on the Wheel” safety campaign

Taylor, Michigan – The Champ Car World Series is promoting a “Hands on the Wheel” campaign to help drivers avoid distractions while driving, such as text-messaging and cell phone use. Auto racers Graham Rahal and former Champ Car driver Lyn St. James are acting as spokespersons.

“Unsafe driving is an on-going problem that requires attention,” Rahal said when announcing the cause campaign initiative. “I have signed the pledge, and all other drivers in the Champ Car World Series and Champ Car Atlantic Championships did so as well this past weekend at Road America. I’m also encouraging my family and friends to do the same.”

Studies show that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some form of driver distraction. Two recent studies estimate that a third of young drivers text message from behind the wheel, while another study released last year found that typing on a cell phone or handheld device triples the risk of a crash.
All Champ Cars and their team transporters will be displaying the message, whether it’s on the race track and or on the highways of North America. Champ Cars is working in conjunction with national and international government entities, law enforcement agencies, sponsors and local promoters to advance the program in their cities and states.

For more information, see HandsOnTheWheel.org.