Buckle up for a bumpy ride. From Beantown to the Big Apple, AAA and the Travel Channel are scouring the country to find drivers capable of the most shameless driving infractions. At least that's the basic premise of the Travel Channel's new reality travel series, “America's Worst Driver,” for which AAA is the official safety partner.
The weekly show, which premiered on March 14, 2010, differs from other reality programming in that the contestants actually want to be eliminated from the competition. That's partially because no one wants public scrutiny or to admit to being an inept driver, much less presumably the most inept in a certain geographic area. It's also because each week's competition culminates in the dramatic torching of the driver unfortunate enough to be dubbed the local “worst.”
During the course of the series, bad drivers—or at least those designated as such by the nominating friends and family members—from eight major cities compete for the infamous crown. Each episode takes place in a different city, for which four participants are selected. The contestants must then maneuver a number of driving challenges scattered throughout the streets of their hometown.
In each city, off-duty police officers monitor the activities, penalizing contestants for traffic violations while ensuring overall safety. Poor driving behaviors incur negative points, and many of the “tests” are related to improving driver concentration when dealing with distractions and stress. The show praises good driving behaviors with prizes and dismissal from the program, sparing the savvy driver's car from a fiery death.
At the season finale, the show's worst drivers from around the country convene in Los Angeles, Calif. to vie for a new set of wheels…and ultimate walking papers so they are not known as the most incompetent driver left standing.
Throughout the series, Dr. William Van Tassel, AAA's driver training expert, offers quick tips for viewers on AAA's Rules of the Road during special vignettes, illustrating the organization's commitment to educate the public on safe driving practices.
“Reality-based television programming represents a potentially effective way to teach millions how to be safer drivers,” said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president of AAA Public Affairs.
“We are a nation of drivers, and there is no better way to see a city than by hitting the streets,” added Michael Klein, senior vice president, content for Travel Channel. “That said, we aren't always a nation of good drivers.”
In addition to the vignettes, AAA offers online driver improvement courses to all contestants participating in the show, as safety behind the wheel is the top priority for all series' contestants. Viewers can also read more in-depth information about safe driving on TravelChannel.com.
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