AAA Teams with Travel Channel's Newest Competition Series, 'America's Worst Driver'

AAA Teams with Travel Channel's Newest Competition Series, 'America's Worst Driver'

ORLANDO, Fla., March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA collaborates with Travel Channel as the official safety partner on the network's new reality travel competition series, 'America's Worst Driver', premiering Sunday, March 14, at 10 p.m. ET.

In the series, bad drivers from eight major American cities, 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."

About Travel Channel Media: TRAVEL CHANNEL (www.travelchannel.com) is a network and Web site that captures the power of travel to inspire and entertain, and satisfies the consumers urge to experience the world. Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and the network is available in more than 95 million U.S. cable homes, and its Travel Channel HD(TM) simulcast is distributed to more than 17 million. The Web site averages more than 2 million unique users monthly, and its mobile content platform, Travel Channel GO(TM), is a leading provider of quality mobile travel video and on-the-go information. Travel Channel is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD, and maintains offices in New York and Atlanta. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE:SNI), which also owns and operates Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and Fine Living Network (www.fineliving.com), is the manager and general partner.

About AAA

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at AAA.com/news.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:
Twitter.com/AAAauto
Twitter.com/AAAnews
Twitter.com/AAAsafety
Facebook.com/AAAfanpage
YouTube.com/AAA
MySpace.com/AAAeveryday

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Christie Hyde

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Source: AAA

CONTACT: Christie Hyde of AAA, +1-407-444-8003, CHyde@national.aaa.com;
or Karen Hansen of Travel Channel, +1-301-244-7549,
Karen.Hansen@travelchannel.com

Web Site: http://www.travelchannel.com/

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