Campaign will promote safe teen passenger behaviors

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

KANNAPOLIS ó To combat the trend that car crashes continue to be the No. 1 cause of death among teens, Mary Beth Ballantine is launching “Ride Like A Friend.”
Studies have confirmed the connection between teen drivers transporting peer passengers and increased risk of fatal crashes. In fact, the presence of one passenger doubles the fatal crash risk for a teen driver, and the risk increases with each additional passenger.The campaign to educate teens and promote safe passenger behaviors is in conjunction with National Teen Driver Safety Week. The campaign began Sunday and continues through Saturday. It will include activities that showcase what teens can do as passengers to reduce the risk of a crash.
Activities planned at Ballantine’s State Farm Office at 1610 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. include presentation of recognition awards for local teen drivers who have maintained a clean driving record since getting their licenses.
This year’s National Teen Driver Safety Week is taking a two-pronged approach to address the risk of teens driving teens. The “Ride Like A Friend” campaign is being rolled out in schools nationwide to encourage passenger behaviors that can reduce teens’ crash risk.
In addition, organizers are urging parents and teen advocates to support graduated driver licensing laws that restrict passengers for at least the first six months of licensure.
More information for parents is available at www.raisingsafedrivers.com. Teens will find tips on how to “Ride Like a Friend” at www.ridelikeafriend.com.