CARSTAR Joins NABC to highlight Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April

Eighty percent of Americans believe hands-free cell phone use while driving is safer. This is a dangerous misconception, according to a recently published study by the University of Calgary in the February issue of the journal Human Factors, which found almost equally high accident rates among users of hand-held and hands-free devices. “We want to remind all drivers that when they are behind the wheel, they have just one job, and that is to focus on driving,” said Arlo Johnson, U.S. Vice President of Sales for CARSTAR and member of the NABC board of directors. “Our goal is to help drivers reduce distractions on the road and get to their destinations safely.” April is an especially critical month for teen drivers because of prom season, followed by graduation celebrations, and then the “100 deadliest days of summer” beginning Memorial Day when more teenagers are on the road during the school recess.   The National Auto Body Council, a business advocate partner with AT&T’s It Can Waitprogram, cites survey results showing 97 percent of teens say texting while driving is dangerous — yet alarmingly 43 percent admit to doing so. Teens are not the only guilty parties – the AT&T study also reveals nearly half of commuters (49 percent) admitted to texting while driving — a higher rate than reported by teens. CARSTAR and the National Auto Body Council urge drivers of all ages to act this month: Install and use appsthat block texts and phone calls when you are behind the wheel Reading just one text message keeps your eyes off the road an average of five dangerous seconds Take the pledgeto end distracted driving at ItCanWait.com-- then text NABC to 50555  to reinforce your commitment to the pledge with NABC “As a collision repairer, we know all too well the consequences of texting while driving and other distracted driving behaviors,” said Johnson.  “Let’s all make a pledge to end distracted driving, keep our eyes on the road and help make our community safer.”About CARSTAR CARSTAR -- a part of the Driven Brands, Inc. family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands -- is North America’s largest Multi-Shop Operator Network of independently owned collision repair facilities with more than 550 locations in 33 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTARin the U.S. and CARSTARin Canada deliver national scale, consistently high-quality vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings; all repairs are backed by a national warranty and service guarantee. Through a variety of fundraising initiatives, CARSTAR, its franchisees, partners and employees have raised over $3 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and has made fighting cystic fibrosis its cause, North American wide. For more information visit www.carstar.comand www.carstar.caand follow us on Facebook and twitter. CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchisees. Interested parties should contact 844-906-9764. 
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL The National Auto Body Council is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council has gifted over 1,700 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities to over 1,000 First Responders and contributed to thousands of distracted driving pledges in our communities through NABC Recycled Rides™, First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) and the Distracted Driving Initiative. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org.