Mazda Rolls Out Holiday Safety Campaign

- Official Automotive Sponsor of MADD Safety Campaign -

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 18 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is pulling out all the stops this holiday season, attaching red ribbons to vehicles nationwide to remind motorists to drive safe, sober and buckled-up. MNAO today announced that it is the official automotive sponsor of the 2004 Tie One On For Safety campaign of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD(R)).

The campaign runs during the heavily traveled holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day -- a time when alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries typically increase. Mazda dealers and MADD chapters nationwide are expected to distribute more than six million ribbons to the public. Drivers will tie a red MADD Tie One On For Safety ribbon to a visible location on their vehicles to show their commitment to safety and to remind others to do the same.

"Mazda is proud to partner with MADD to help raise public awareness about the negative consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "We hope everyone will stop by their local Mazda dealerships before the end of the year and pick up a free MADD ribbon for their vehicles."

According to new state-by-state motor vehicle fatality figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2003 between Thanksgiving and New Year's, more than 2,100 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes and/or when occupants did not wear their safety belts. This was a one percent decrease from the previous year and Mazda hopes to see that number further reduced.

"The holiday season is typically a joyous time for everyone, and to help ensure drunk driving does not ruin this special time of year, motorists are asked to tie one on this holiday season -- for safety," said Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD national president. "We are grateful for Mazda's support of this lifesaving campaign."

Takata, the world's largest seat belt manufacturer and provider of integrated safety systems and a supplier to Mazda, is the national presenting sponsor of MADD's Tie One On For Safety campaign.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.

Founded in 1980, MADD is a non-profit organization with approximately two million members and supporters nationwide. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.