VOLUSIA LAW FIRM AND CAR DEALERSHIP UNITE AGAIN TO OFFER ANTI-TEXTING PROGRAM TO STUDENT DRIVERS STARTING APRIL 29

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL – The law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell is partnering once again with Gary Yeoman’s Ford Lincoln to offer a week of simulated teen driving classes that intend to show student drivers the dangers of texting while driving. The Port Orange-based firm and the Daytona Beach dealership have become regular partners as the two companies sponsored the first simulated texting session last September, and they’ve funded numerous safe-driving classes for teens the past two years, according to Carlos Lira, general manager at Gary Yeoman’s. “It’s great working with Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, as we agree on the importance of letting our teens learn – by using the simulators themselves – how deadly texting and driving can be,” he said. The training program – which filled up quickly last year – puts students in the driver’s seat while they use a state-of-the-art , hands-on texting and driving simulator. The sponsors say they hope to have as many as 5,000 local students use the educational equipment this year. The five days of classes – which is presented free of charge by the law firm and car dealership – will begin April 29 at DeLand High School and continue April 30 at University High School, Orange City; May 1 at Atlantic High School, Port Orange; May 2 at Matanzas High School, Palm Coast; and May 3 at Warner Christian Academy, South Daytona. National statistics show that about 50 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 text while driving. Currently, Florida is one of a handful of states with no restrictions on texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. Data compiled from simulated sessions throughout the United States showed that nearly all of those who got behind the wheel failed after speeding, swerving and sometimes even striking simulated pedestrians. “We’ve seen too many reports of teen-age drivers who either injured others or themselves because of this type of distractive driving,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the personal-injury firm. “So, we’re very motivated to offer this type of program to help prevent more accidents.” For more information about the program, please visit rueziffra.com or garyyeomansford.com, or call 386-788-7700.