Nevada Man Named National Hero Award Semifinalist for Reducing Teenage Driving Mistakes, Fatalities

National vote underway for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards; $100,000 charitable contributions awarded to finalists; winner receives Volvo car for life

40 Semi-Finalists Selected; Vote at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- In the United States, motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for young people, ages 15 to 21. Through an innovative driver's education program, Las Vegas native, Jeff Payne, teaches youth how to avoid vehicle accidents and drive safely. His program, "Driver's Edge," has kept thousands of teenagers safe on the roads. Now, Payne has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes and is in the running to be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards -- an annual, nationwide search for real-life heroes across America.

Beginning today, the American public can visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and vote for Payne. This democratic vote will decide the program finalists in Volvo's hero search. Three winning heroes will receive $100,000 for their charities. One extraordinary winner will receive a new Volvo car every three years for life.

Payne, a performance-driving instructor for more than twenty years, founded the nonprofit group, Driver's Edge, which offers free driver's education programs for young people. The program gives students comprehensive instruction in defensive driving, including collision avoidance, skid control, evasive lane change maneuvers and controlled panic braking techniques. Through a mix of behind-the-wheel defensive driving exercises and interactive classroom sessions, his program aims to erase the "fast-and-furious" style marring many young adults' driving skills.

Graduates of Driver's Edge have fifty-three percent fewer collisions than non-participants. To expand the program's reach still further, Payne organizes ongoing safe teen driving events in Las Vegas and has initiated the Driver's Edge National Tour, which takes the program to twenty cities each year. Since the program's inception, nearly 40,000 young drivers and their parents around the country have attended.

"My goal for Driver's Edge is to continue expanding and teaching teenagers life-saving driving techniques, but Edge is not about individual achievement," Payne said. "Edge is a team effort; our success simply wouldn't be possible without the help of our dedicated professional instructors, our partners and sponsors, and the willingness of young adults and parents nationwide to take a stand against the number one killer of America's youth. A Volvo for life Award would give the program an incredible boost and opportunity to reach our goal."

Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 18,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes.

"Once again, Volvo is inviting America itself to serve as one of the Volvo for life Awards judges," said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. "Last year we had an overwhelming response with more than 700,000 votes tallied. This year's heroes are top notch. It will be tough to narrow the field down and pick winners, but Volvo is confident that America is up to the challenge."

In the end, every vote counts. Ten heroes have been selected in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award, Volvo's youth category. The voting period will determine three finalists in each category. Visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and learn more about what the top 40 hometown heroes are doing to make the world a better place now and in the future. Most importantly, support Payne with your vote and help bring more funding to your community.

Volvo Cars of North America leads the national initiative, honoring and rewarding local heroes with financial contributions each year. This year, Volvo doubled the charitable donation amount given to the top three winners. One top hero in each of the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment will receive $100,000 for their charities; two runners-up in each category will receive $25,000. One extraordinary winner will go on to receive the title "America's Greatest Hometown Hero," and with it, a new Volvo car every three years for life.

A fourth Volvo for life Awards category is up for grabs this year -- but only America's kids can reach it. Volvo is elevating its annual Butterfly Award to its own youth hero category -- with a $25,000 prize for the winner and $10,000 to two runners up.

When the voting period ends January 7, 2008, a panel of distinguished judges will select one winner in each of the four categories. A grand award winner, selected from the Safety, Quality of Life and Environment categories, will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and presented with a new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19, 2008.

To learn more, or to vote for your favorite hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.

Source: Volvo Cars of North America