Attorney General Strange, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and U-Haul Present "Arrive Alive: Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks!"

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and U-Haul present "Arrive Alive:  Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks!" Family members, students and residents from Birmingham and the surrounding communities are encouraged to join us as we learn more about the impact of texting while driving.  Attendees will be able to participate in simulated texting and driving activities, hear live testimonials from individuals impacted by the devastating affects of texting while driving and sign a pledge in support of:  "Arrive Alive: Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks!"

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"I am proud to partner with U-Haul and the University of Alabama at Birmingham to spread this message of safety to the people of Alabama," Attorney General Strange said. "It is important that people obey the law and make good choices when it comes to keeping themselves, their families, and everyone on the road in Alabama safe."

The "Arrive Alive:  Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks!" event will feature the "Save-A-Life Tour, Distracted-Driving Program" which will showcase high-intensity videos rolling on huge monitors, with show presenters engaging attendees.  Everyone who attends the program will be changed forever.  The Save-A-Life Tour will be open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

"We hope members of the community will embrace this free event to help educate and remind all drivers young and old about the dangers we place ourselves in daily by driving distracted, without even thinking about it,"  stated Stuart Shoen, executive vice president, U-Haul International, Inc. 

"Everyone thinks that they are great multitaskers," Stavrinos said. "However, statistically this cannot be true when you consider that over half a million people are injured due to distracted driving related incidents, with several thousand dying due to these incidents each year. Educational efforts such as this event are important for debunking faulty perceptions about using electronic devices behind the wheel."

For more information about the event, visit uhaul.com/ArriveAlive.                    

Contact:
AG contact: Joy Patterson, Alabama Attorney General Public Information, (334) 242-7491
UAB contact: Shannon Thomason, UAB Media Relations (205) 935-8858, [email protected] Joanne Fried, U-Haul Public Relations (602) 263-6194 or [email protected]

About Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange
Luther Strange serves as Alabama's 49th Attorney General. He represents and defends the interests of the people of the State of Alabama and serves as the State's chief law enforcement officer. As Alabama's top law enforcement official, Attorney General Strange works closely with state and local law enforcement officers and district attorneys to protect Alabamians.

About the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center and the state of Alabama's largest employer with some 23,000 employees and an economic impact exceeding $5 billion annually on the state. The five pillars of UAB's mission include education, research, patient care, community service and the economic development. UAB: Knowledge that will change your world. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

About U-Haul

U-Haul was founded by a Navy veteran who grew up during the Great Depression. Tires and gas were still rationed or in short supply during the late 1940s when U-Haul began serving U.S. customers. Today, that background is central to the U-Haul Sustainability Program: "Serving the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."  Our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle includes fuel-efficient moving vans, neighborhood proximity, moving box reuse, moving pads made from discarded material and packing peanuts that are 100% biodegradable.  Learn more about these facts and others at uhaul.com/sustainability.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the choice for the do-it-yourself mover. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the Company to maintain the largest rental fleet in the do-it-yourself moving industry which includes trucks, trailers and towing devices. U-Haul also offers storage throughout North America. The Company provides industry leading moving and storage boxes and an extended line of packing supplies to protect customer possessions. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket. The Company supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard grills as one of the nation's largest retailers of propane.

SOURCE U-Haul