Keys Display Highlights Teen Drivers' Risks
Allstate Corp.'s live display featuring nearly 5,000 key chains represents how many teens die each year in teen-related car crashes.
Allstate Corp. joined a group of teenagers, Montgomery County (Md.) Police Capt. Tom Didone, and members of Congress on Tuesday to unveil the insurance company's live display featuring nearly 5,000 key chains that represent how many teens die each year in teen-related car crashes. "With schools letting out for the summer, this is an important time to remind both teenagers and parents that the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the deadliest timeframe of the year for teenagers behind the wheel," said Dean Pappas, Allstate assistant vice president for federal affairs. "We hope today's event reminds parents and teens to have safe driving discussions on topics, such as wearing seat belts and not texting or talking on cell phones while driving."
A recent Allstate Foundation survey of young drivers with the National Organizations for Youth Safety found 83 percent of teenagers admit they talk on a cell phone while driving, and 68 percent admitted to texting while driving. "Teen drivers need to know it doesn't matter what you did yesterday, it matters what you do today and tomorrow," said Didone. "As my family learned, nobody is immune and one mistake can have tragic results." Didone has worked for the Montgomery County Police Department since 1986. His 15-year-old son, Ryan, was killed when a car in which he was riding veered off a road and struck a tree. "According to reports, Ryan was not wearing his seat belt. Captain Didone spends his time today educating teenagers about the importance of staying safe on the road," according to Allstate's news release.
The keys display also calls attention to The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act (H.R. 1895), which would set federal graduated driver licensing standards. The bill is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Timothy Bishop, D-N.Y., Michael Castle, R-Del., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and backed by Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., in the U.S. Senate. "Allstate supports the STANDUP Act because we are committed to reducing teen fatalities on our nation's roads," Pappas said. "Recent findings about dangerous teen driving only underscore the need for Congress and communities across the United States to address this public health risk." Visit www.allstate.com/teen for information about protecting teen drivers, including an interactive parent-teen driving contract, or visit www.saferoads4teens.org for additional information.