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Teen driver safety week focuses attention on youngest drivers

More teenagers die in car crashes than any other cause, so the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designates the third week in October as a reminder for young drivers to make safe driving choices.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is Oct. 19-25 and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) continues its partnership with State Farm to provide funding for traffic safety events at high schools throughout Idaho.

State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive program encourages the youngest drivers to make smart driving choices while celebrating the freedom that comes with a new driver’s license.

The program’s message is 2N2 – two eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel. It is a simple habit to encourage that can reduce distracted driving and help new drivers build confidence on the road.

Jared Stokes, a State Farm agent from Eagle, recently delivered a check on behalf of the insurance company to ITD for $5,000, adding to the more than $12,000 the company has already contributed. High schools participating in traffic safety events will use the money made available for specific activities during the coming weeks.

The award was presented to ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes, Highway Safety Manager Brent Jennings and Youthful Driver Program Manager Margaret Goertz.

Participating Idaho schools will be guided through safety activities by their local Alive at 25 instructors from Emmett Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Orofino Police Department, Payette Police Department, Rexburg Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office.

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

State Farm hosts the website “Celebrate My Drive” at celebratemydrive.com where safe driving for teenagers is encouraged and celebrated. At that site, school administrators were allowed to register their high schools for a chance to win one of 10 $100,000 grants, one of 90 $25,000 grants or one of two grand-prize concerts featuring Grammy nominated The Band Perry.

Parents and students are now encouraged to sign in and vote for their high school to win one of these prizes.

Pictured above are (l to r) Brent Jennings, Scott Stokes, Jared Stokes and Margaret Goertz.