(LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2010) – AAA collaborates with the Travel Channel as the official safety partner on the network’s new reality travel competition series, “America’s Worst Driver,” premiering at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 14.
In the series, bad drivers from eight major American cities, including Los Angeles, nominated by friends and family, compete in various driving challenges to identify the worst local driver. Each challenge tests a driver’s ability to focus while dealing with distraction and stress, a task that anyone behind the wheel should concentrate on improving. The participant earning the distinction of the worst driver from each city will watch as their car is destroyed before moving onto the finale where ultimately ‘America’s Worst Driver’ will be named.
In each city, participants are monitored by off-duty police officers, ensuring everyone’s safety and penalizing contestants for traffic violations. Poor driving behaviors incur negative points, bringing contestants closer to having their car destroyed and receiving the infamous crown. Good driving is rewarded with being eliminated from the program, sparing their car from destruction and earning various prizes.
As a leader in traffic safety for more than a century, AAA’s driver training expert, Dr. William Van Tassel, also known as “Dr. Bill,” will offer quick tips for viewers on AAA’s Rules of the Road during special vignettes throughout the series run. AAA will also offer online driver improvement courses to all contestants participating in the show, as safety behind the wheel will be emphasized as a number one priority for all drivers during the series. Viewers can also read more in-depth information about safe driving on TravelChannel.com.
“Reality-based television programming represents a fresh and potentially effective way to teach millions of American’s how to be better and safer drivers,” said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president of AAA Public Affairs. “AAA is especially pleased to be working with the Travel Channel on this project as both of our organizations are widely-known and respected as a source of quality consumer information.”
“We are a nation of drivers – and there is no better way to see a city than by hitting the streets,” said Michael Klein, senior vice president, content for Travel Channel. “That said we aren’t always a nation of good drivers. ‘America’s Worst Driver’ takes an entertaining look at this serious issue, and partnering with AAA, whose commitment to promoting safe driving is unwavering, is the perfect complement to the series.”