"Behind the wheel, there is no such thing as a small distraction."

The Miss Illinois Organization has partnered with State Farm to support a new platform to combat distracted driving and to educate and encourage drivers, especially teen drivers, to practice safe driving habits. This is such an important message, especially in light of the problems that cell phones/texting have caused and the lives that have been lost as a result. I challenge you to take responsibility for your driving choices by committing to not texting while driving, for example. Furthermore, make it known to your family, friends, or whoever may be driving that you won't tolerate any driver to text while you are riding with them. It will take discipline and a sense of conviction to stick to these rules, but it's just not worth the risk to do otherwise!

Did you know that car crashes are the number one killer of teens? In 2009, more than 2,300 young drivers (ages 15-20) were killed in motor vehicle crashes. In my research of distracted driving and stats on teen driving, I found out about State Farm's "Project Ignition," which I am encouraging high schools in IL to consider getting involved with. This program is based on service-learning, in which students learn and get engaged with issues through hands-on experiences in their communities, which is a very powerful and caring way to learn and reach out to others. Here is more info from http://www.sfprojectignition.com/:

"The National Youth Leadership Council® and State Farm® are pleased to announce the availability of $2,000 Project Ignition grants for public high school students and teachers to address teen driver safety through service-learning. Applications are due November 15, 2011.

Students use their own creativity to create impactful awareness and engagement campaigns. Strategies used in the past have included: hosting events and demonstrations; forming community-wide partnerships; working on local and state policy; producing public service announcements; and more.

Twenty-five schools will be chosen to receive $2,000 grants to support the implementation of their campaigns between January and April, 2012. Ten of these 25 schools will be granted an additional $5,000 to support their participation in a significant national conference or event. They will also be given the opportunity to be named "National Leader Schools" and receive an additional $2,500 to go deeper with their campaigns during the 2012-2013 school year.

Applications are due November 15, 2011."















Also, please consider supporting the STANDUP Act, which supports a graduated licensing approach for young drivers. Below is more info from http://www.saferoads4teens.org/standup-act.

"States must meet the following requirements under the STANDUP Act:
Three stages of licensing – learner’s permit, intermediate stage, and full licensure – should be used
Age 16 should be the earliest age for entry into the learner’s permit process
Nighttime driving while unsupervised should be restricted during the learner’s permit and intermediate stages, until full licensure at age 18
Driving while using communication devices (cell phone calls, texting) should be prohibited at least until full licensure at age 18
Unrestricted, full licensure should occur no earlier than age 18
Passengers should be restricted – no more than one non-familial passenger under age 21 unless a licensed driver over age 21 is in the vehicle – until full licensure at age 18

Compliance with the requirements within the first three years after enactment will make states eligible for incentive grants.

Do GDL Systems Really Reduce Crashes and Save Lives? Yes!

•In 1997, the first full year of its GDL system, Florida experienced a 9% reduction in fatal and injury crashes for 15-17 year-olds, compared with 1995. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1999)
•Researchers examined GDL systems implemented in 1997 in Michigan and North Carolina, which were considered among the country's most comprehensive programs. Comparing 1999 with 1996 data, crashes involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 25% in Michigan and 27% in North Carolina. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001)
•In California, the alcohol-related crash rate of 16-year-olds dropped 16 percent in the first year after the GDL law took effect and 13 percent in the second year when compared with the crash rate of 16-year-olds before the law was in place. (Automobile Club of Southern California, 2002)
•In California, teenage passenger deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving 16-year-old drivers declined by 40 percent statewide from 1998 through 2000, the first three years of the program. In addition, the number of at-fault collisions involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 24 percent. (Automobile Club of Southern California, 2001)
•Oregon's GDL system was particularly effective with male teen drivers. Those who completed the GDL system experienced 16% fewer crashes during their first year of driving compared to those who had not received their license under the GDL system. (NHTSA, 1998)"

I took the time to write to our members of Congress, urging them to support this act. You can do the same here: http://www.capitolconnect.com/saferoads4teens/ It only takes a moment..