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Shell Launches New Campaign to Help Prevent Roadside Deaths

3 August 1999

Shell Launches New Campaign to Help Prevent Roadside Deaths

     Fifth in a Series of Ads and Booklets to Promote Driver Safety in an
                                Auto Breakdown

    HOUSTON, Aug. 2 -- Each year nearly 3,000 people are killed
in roadside accidents. Shell Oil Company is launching an effort to prevent
these deaths and accidents through the latest wave of its award-winning "Count
on Shell" campaign.
    With "Breakdown", a free informational booklet, Shell warns of roadside
dangers, offers basic auto maintenance tips and shows drivers ways to avoid a
tragedy.  The informational booklet is supported by national television and
print advertising that also seeks to help instruct drivers on how to prevent
roadside emergencies.
    Among the tips offered by the company through this public-service campaign
are the following:

    -- If you have a flat in an unsafe area or on a busy roadway, don't try to
       change the tire there.  Continue driving or wait for help to arrive.
       Better to drive on the flat tire than to risk your life.
    -- If you experience a breakdown in extreme heat, keep your windows
       cracked and drink plenty of water.  Always stay in the car while
       waiting for help, unless there is the threat of a fire or of
       ventilation problems.
    -- Always remember to keep the following items in your glove compartment
       and trunk for emergencies: a bright handkerchief or cloth to signal for
       help; a flashlight; flares or reflectors; food items; bottled drinking
       water; blankets; and an empty gas container.  Always carry a copy of
       your health insurance card and the telephone numbers of people who
       should be called in an emergency.

    "The idea behind 'Count on Shell' is that our company can use the power of
advertising and our public relations efforts to save lives," said Susan
Borches, Shell Oil Company's vice president of Corporate Communications.
    "Breakdown" and the supporting advertising were created in cooperation
with the American Red Cross, the Federal Highway Administration, the National
Crime Prevention Council and the National Institute for Automotive Service
Excellence.  Shell will distribute approximately 7.5 million of the booklets
free at Shell gas stations in 39 states.  The booklet is available in English
and Spanish, and copies can also be downloaded from the Shell Oil Company
website (http://www.countonshell.com).
    Shell's new national television commercial dramatically illustrates the
dangers of being stranded on the roadside.  The print ads appear in magazines
including "Forbes", "Fortune", "Newsweek", "People", "Sports Illustrated",
"Time" and "U.S. News and World Report", and in newspapers including the "New
York Times" and the "Wall Street Journal."
    The first booklets in this groundbreaking public education series were
"Driving Dangers", "Kids in the Car", "Crash Course" and "Alone Behind the
Wheel."  These booklets offered life-saving tips on how to handle dangerous
driving situations, how to keep kids safe while driving, what to do when an
accident occurs and keeping safe while driving alone.  Many of these booklets
can still be found at Shell stations nationwide and are available on the
company's website.
    Consumers can also obtain the information through Shell's web site
(http://www.countonshell.com) or by calling 800-376-0200.