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State Farm, ITD provide cash for high school traffic-safety events

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among teenage drivers so State Farm has partnered with ITD to help drive down fatalities and injuries among young drivers.

Last week, State Farm committed funds to the department that will promote traffic-safety events at high schools in Burley, Minico and Caldwell. The schools will share the $3,750 State Farm grant.

Jared Stokes, a State Farm agent from Eagle, invited ITD to submit a funding proposal to the insurance company on behalf of high schools in the three Idaho communities, explained Margaret Goertz, with ITD’s Office of Highway Safety.

The events are planned for National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 21-26.

“We’re invested in encouraging teens to drive safely,” Stokes said. “By reaching out to youth in multiple ways early, we hope to encourage these new drivers to practice sound principles when behind the wheel.”

The grant award was presented recently to ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes, Sgt. Andrew Hitt, with Idaho State Police Region 4 and Officer Matthew Hodnett, with Caldwell Police Department.

Jared Stokes and State Farm Agent Kathy Chambers, from Meridian, have spearheaded young-driver safety efforts in Idaho for many years. The two are planning an event in October at Meridian’s Rocky Mountain High School for the second consecutive year.

State Farm hosts the website “Celebrate My Drive” (celebratemydrive.com) where safe driving for teenagers is encouraged and celebrated. At that site, school administrators can register their high schools for a chance to win one of 10 $100,000 grants or one of 90 $25,000 grants.

“This is a great opportunity for all Idaho high schools to apply for a State Farm Grant,” Jared Stokes added.

The company is a long-time advocate for young driver safety. Through the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the company provides funds for research to determine teenage driving choices and what messages will assist with making wise choices and developing good driving habits.

Photo: (Left to right): Officer Matthew Hodnett, Caldwell PD; Jared Stokes, State Farm; Sgt. Andrew Hitt, ISP Region 4 and ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes celebrate the grant that promotes safer driving among teenagers.