100 Of the Deadliest Days for Teens Begin When the School Year Ends.Allstate and Discovery Education Team Up to Help Make Those Days Less Dangerous NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Bright sunny days and carefree summer vacations Summer vacation (also called summer holidays or summer break) is a vacation in the summertime between school years in which students are off for 3 months, depending on the country and district. often can create a false sense of security for teen drivers. Yet summer has a dark side for many teens, as statistics show the summer months are the worst for teen automobile fatalities(1). Automobile crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the U.S. with nearly 6,000 teens killed every year(2) and more than 300,000 injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. (3). This tragedy is compounded by the fact that many crashes are preventable. Driver error, speeding and distractions are the main causes of teen crashes(4), and seemingly simple activities such as switching radio stations or interacting with friends can significantly impair a teen's ability to react quickly to changing traffic conditions. May has been designated National Youth Traffic Safety Month to raise awareness about these issues among teenagers and parents alike. Allstate is partnering with Discovery Education and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS NOYS National Organizations for Youth Safety ) on two initiatives designed to create a dialogue about safe driving and ultimately reduce the number of automobile crashes involving teens. "Drive It Right: Talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to Teens about Safe Driving" was created by Discovery and Allstate as a comprehensive educational program designed to urge teens to understand, discuss and identify safe driving solutions. The program's DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. provides very candid and hard-hitting real-life stories behind the accident statistics. Approximately 19,500 U.S. high school principals recently received the "Drive It Right" DVD and resource guide to help their students stay safe while driving this summer. In addition, Discovery Education will pre-empt pre·empt or pre-empt v. pre·empt·ed, pre·empt·ing, pre·empts v.tr. 1. To appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others. See Synonyms at appropriate. 2. a. its Emmy-award winning Assignment Discovery program the week of May 28 to air the "Drive It Right" video. (Assignment Discovery airs on the Discovery Channel every school day of the year, and content can be recorded and used in classrooms for up to one year.) "The summer months are when young drivers are at most risk, and with events such as graduation and prom in the coming weeks, it's vital for teens and their parents to be aware of the dangers," said George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection, Allstate Insurance Company. "Allstate is committed to promoting safe driving and our hope is that the 'Drive It Right' resource guide and DVD, which is narrated by teens for teens, will engage students in discussion and underscore The underscore character (_) is often used to make file, field and variable names more readable when blank spaces are not allowed. For example, NOVEL_1A.DOC, FIRST_NAME and Start_Routine. (character) underscore - _, ASCII 95. the importance of safe and responsible driving." "We are proud to have partnered with Allstate on the development of this powerful and timely resource for each and every high school," said Bill Goodwyn, president of Domestic Distribution and Enterprises, Discovery Communications, Inc. "We're asking entire communities to get involved and screen the DVD at safe driving events before the school year ends, with the goal of bringing everyone back safely in the fall." Rewarding Local Commitment to Teen Safe Driving Allstate also is working with National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) to sponsor awards for 2007 National Youth Traffic Safety Month community projects. Local Allstate agencies will present 50 awards of $1,000 to teens or organizations in their community for developing exceptional National Youth Traffic Safety Month programs. Youth organizations can learn more and apply for a grant by visiting www.NOYS.org. The application deadline is May 31. "National Organizations for Youth Safety is honored to work with Allstate to endorse the 'Drive It Right' materials, and we appreciate the leadership Allstate has shown in encouraging and rewarding youth leaders who are creating National Youth Traffic Safety Month projects in their communities," said Sandy Spavone, executive director, National Organizations for Youth Safety. Help for the Parents Parents also need to play a large role in developing their teen's safe driving behaviors. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. The Allstate Foundation, although parents acknowledge that they must play a significant role in preparing their teens to drive, many delay safe driving conversations with their teens until shortly before licensure. Parents also understand they are role models on the road, yet their driving behaviors send the wrong message. For example, 71 percent admit to talking on a cell phone while driving with their teens, and 26 percent say they have broken the law with their teens in the car.(5) Parents can request a copy of the "Drive It Right" DVD from their local Allstate[R] agent or visit www.Allstate.com/teen for tips on how to talk to their teens about this issue and engage their community to create a culture of safe driving. To help parents further, Allstate has created a Parent-Teen Driving Contract, which features the key areas for discussion and agreement to ensure a safer drive for teens. The Parent-Teen Driving Contract also is available from local Allstate[R] agencies or www.Allstate.com/teen. Additionally, Allstate[R] Your Choice Auto Insurance can reward safe drivers through its Safe Driver Bonus(SM), providing a financial incentive for parents for every six months of accident-free driving. And, if an accident does occur, rates won't increase for those with Accident Forgiveness as part of Your Choice Auto[R]. Teen Road Realities: * A majority of teens admit to risky driving behaviors(6) * Fifty-six percent make and answer phone calls while driving(7) * Fifty-five percent exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph(8) * The area of the human brain that controls multitasking multitasking Mode of computer operation in which the computer works on multiple tasks at the same time. A task is a computer program (or part of a program) that can be run as a separate entity. , impulse control impulse control Psychology The degree to which a person can control the desire for immediate gratification or other; IC may be the single most important indicator of a person's future adaptation in terms of number of friends, school performance and future and the ability to envision consequences - areas crucial for driving - is still developing well into an individual's 20s(9) * Talking on a cell phone increases the likelihood of an accident by four times and slows the average person's reaction time to that of a 70-year-old(10) About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate[R]" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,800 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate[R]. Encompass[R] and Deerbrook[R] Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. About the Allstate Foundation The Allstate Foundation is an independent, private, non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. funded by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Since 1952, the Foundation has developed and funded programs in communities across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Today, the Foundation focuses on three areas: safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion and diversity; and economic empowerment. About Discovery Education Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, the leading global real-world and knowledge-based media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital video content in easy-to-use formats, in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through strategic partnerships with public television stations across the country, its public service initiatives, products, and joint business ventures, Discovery Education helps educators around the world harness the power of broadband and media to connect their students to a world of learning. For more information, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. About National Organizations for Youth Safety National Organizations for Youth Safety[TM] (NOYS) is a coalition of national organizations and federal agencies who serve youth and focus on youth safety and health. Through this coalition, NOYS influences more than 80 million young people and their adult advisors. The mission of NOYS is to promote youth empowerment Youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults. and leadership, and build partnerships that save lives, prevent injuries, and enhance safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth. Editor's Note Editor's Note (foaled in 1993 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat. Trained by D. Interviews with the following spokespersons are available upon request: * Ashley Rawie, young woman featured in the "Drive It Right" DVD who is paralyzed par·a·lyze tr.v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es 1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic. 2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear. from the chest down as a result of an automobile crash * Mary Rollins, Director of Sponsorships, Discovery Education * Patricia Kelley, Allstate employee and parent who can share her personal story of loss and advice for other parents * Sandy Spavone, Executive Director, National Organizations for Youth Safety B-roll and interview footage is also available for your free and unrestricted use: FOOTAGE AVAILABLE ON PATHFIRE DMG (Disk iMaGe) The file format used in the Macintosh for distributing Mac software. Mac install packages appear as a virtual disk drive on the Mac as if you had inserted a CD or floppy disk. NEWS SYSTEM BEGINNING MAY 17, 2007 On the left side of the Pathfire/DMG main page, click on AKA MEDIA INC. Locate AKAM AKAM Akamai Technologies, Inc. (stock abbreviation) AKAM Automated Key Access Machine 0587/ Slug: "Teen Driving Safety" (1) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, often pronounced "nit-suh") is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, part of the Department of Transportation. . 1986-2000 data. Tracked by month, most fatal crashes involving teens occur during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. . (2) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that still occur. , Highway Loss Data Institute, "Fatality fa·tal·i·ty n. 1. A death resulting from an accident or disaster. 2. One that is killed as a result of such an occurrence. Facts 2005: Teenagers," www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts/teenagers.html (2005). (3) The Allstate Foundation; "Chronic: A Report on the State of Teen Driving 2005." (4) Williams, A.F., "Teenage Passengers in Motor Vehicle Crashes: A Summary of Current Research," Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (December 2001). (5) National survey conducted by Teen Research Unlimited (TRU TRU True TRU Thompson Rivers University (Canada) TRU Toys R Us TRU Transuranic TRU Teenage Research Unlimited TRU The Root Underground (gaming clan) TRU Transuranium TRU Transformer Rectifier Unit ) on behalf of The Allstate Foundation (February 2007). (6) The Allstate Foundation; "Chronic: A Report on the State of Teen Driving 2005." (7) Ibid (8) Ibid (9) Gogtay N, Giedd J, Lusk L, et al. Dynamic mapping of human cortical cor·ti·cal adj. 1. Of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of cortex. 2. Of, relating to, associated with, or depending on the cerebral cortex. development during childhood through early adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, usually referred to as PNAS, is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences. . 2004;101:8174-8179. (10) Cell phones 'age' teen drivers to 70, Marion Ballot, The Washington Times, (3 February 2005), www.washtimes.com/national/20050203-125557-7992r.htm. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion