Add Five Seconds to your Routine and Save a Life!

Business/Automotive Editors

WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2002

Kick boxing, abdominal work, free weights--Americans are continually looking for ways to stay healthy. But millions of people continue to overlook a proven routine that takes only five seconds and can help maintain good health for decades. The technique: buckling up your seatbelt before pulling out of your driveway.

"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, traffic-related injuries are the leading cause of injury death in America," said Cathy Rein, President and CEO of MetLife Auto & Home. "It's a proven fact that buckling up is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries on America's roadways. Seat belts can improve the chances of walking away from a crash by over fifty percent and are estimated to save 9,500 lives in America each year. Even so, many people fail to incorporate this healthy habit into their daily routine."

Steps to improve the chances that you and your passengers will walk away from a potentially fatal accident include:

-- Always buckle up, even if you're just traveling a short distance. Seventy-five percent of motor vehicle accidents occur within 25 miles of home.

-- Wear the shoulder belt properly over your chest and shoulder. You're not completely protected if your shoulder belt is worn behind your back or under your arm.

-- Use child safety seats and/or safety belts every time. Keep children ages 12 and under in the back seat. Police departments can help to install safety seats.

-- Children should NEVER be allowed to ride in the front seat of cars, especially if a vehicle has dual air bags. Air bags can open and cause serious harm to children.

-- Be a role model for children--they are more likely to use seatbelts when trusted adults buckle up.

To help reinforce this point, MetLife Auto & Home recently introduced a new, informative brochure called "In the Driver's Seat: About Driving Safety," containing a wealth of information relating to safe driving--including tips on seatbelt and carseat safety, defensive driving, and simple car maintenance. The free brochure is available by calling 1-800-638-5443 (1-800-MET-LIFE).

MetLife Auto & Home, an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty companies with more than 2.7 million policies in force. For more information about MetLife Auto & Home, contact your local MetLife Auto & Home provider or authorized Independent Agent, or visit MetLife's website at www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its Affiliates, Warwick, RI. In Texas, some policies are provided by Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas.