Emily Fishkin: (202) 721-4204; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lauren Jochum: (202) 721-4239; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Washington, D.C.-Despite the well-known dangers of texting and emailing behind the wheel, many drivers and vehicle operators continue to engage in the life-threatening behavior. Today, Reston, VA-based ZoomSafer was recognized by the nation's largest transportation technology organization for doing their part to reduce the nearly 5,500 deaths and 450,000 distracted driving-related crashes that occurred last year on U.S. roads.

As the U.S. Department of Transportation and highway safety advocates across the country marked the 10^th anniversary of "Put the Brakes on Fatalities" Day this past Sunday, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) presented ZoomSafer with its Smart Solution Spotlight award for developing innovative safe driving software that helps eliminate the temptation to text, email and browse while driving, while enabling drivers and commercial vehicle operators to stay connected via hands-free services.

ZoomSafer provides software for mobile phones to prevent distracted driving. ZoomSafer integrates with a variety of triggers, including in-vehicle Bluetooth technology, to automatically activate into safe drive mode, blocking texting, emailing, and browsing behind the wheel. Additionally, ZoomSafer keeps drivers connected by responding to unanswered messages from customers, co-workers, friends, and family on their behalf. The software also enables drivers to stay connected when necessary through hands-free mobile services.

"ZoomSafer is a great example of an innovative company that is using smart technology as a solution to help drivers stay focused on the road," said Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America. "Enlisting drivers, parents, and fleet operators as partners is critical if we are going to succeed at reducing distracted driving-related fatalities."

About 50 percent of employees admit to texting and emailing while driving, and on-the-job crashes cost employers more than $24,500 per crash, $150,000 per injury, and $3.6 million per fatality. ZoomSafer's FleetSafer™ software allows employers to enforce corporate cell phone use policies, reducing crashes, risk and liability. Through an administrative portal, managers can customize safe driving policies for individuals, groups, or the entire company, including options to enable or disable an employee's ability to make hands-free phone calls, as well as set up company branded auto-replies to incoming messages or emails. Administrators also receive reports on safe driving analytics.

"FleetSafer allows corporate employers to proactively ensure employee drivers are using their mobile phones in a manner that is safe, legal and compliant with the company's documented policies," said ZoomSafer CEO Matt Howard.

Improving Safety for Teen Drivers

A strong area of focus in the distracted driving campaign concentrates on teen drivers. With younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old accounting for the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes, ZoomSafer created a product to keep young drivers focused on the road by removing the driver's ability to make and receive phone calls while the car is in motion. Once installed on the teen driver's phone, the software eliminates the temptation to call or text by locking the key pad and screen, silencing text and email alerts and sending auto replies to incoming emails, text messages or phone calls. Additionally, TeenSafer also notifies selected recipients when the teen driver starts and stops the car or makes a 911 call.

To learn more about ZoomSafer, please visit http://www.zoomsafer.com .

ITS America is the leading advocate for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) development and deployment in the United States. ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies across America's surface transportation system. Members include private companies and industry leaders, public agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org .