Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is teaming up with representatives from State Farm and Oakland High School in Murfreesboro to promote safe driving among teenagers. More than two dozen young drivers will spend the day testing their driving skills on MTSU’s driving course. They will be judged on their ability to drive while texting, playing with the radio, and while wearing “impaired-vision” goggles. THP’s Safety Education Lieutenant for Nashville District will be on hand with the department’s roll-over device to demonstrate the dangers of not wearing a safety belt.

WHO:        THP Safety Education Lt. Tony Barham, State Farm representatives, Teen Drivers

WHAT:      Summer Teen Driving Program

WHAT:      State Farm Good Neighbor Service Month

WHEN:      8:30 a.m.–Noon
                 Tuesday, June 10, 2008

WHERE:    Middle Tennessee State University Driving Course
                 Greenland Drive
                 Murfreesboro, TN

The goal of the Summer Driving Program is to illustrate the dangers of texting, talking on a cell phone or playing with the radio while driving. It is part of the State Farm Good Neighbor Service Month. During this month, State Farm employees are encouraged to team up with local non-profit organizations to conduct community service projects. State Farm will select the top 29 community service projects and reward the non-profit organizations with a $2,000 grant.

For more information, contact Leslie Eatherly, State Farm Public Affairs, at 615-692-6189.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.