MEDIA ADVISORY: Tennessee Highway Patrol Teams Up With State Farm for Teen Safety

Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 11:12am

NASHVILLE --- As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is teaming up with representatives from State Farm and Oakland High School in Murfreesboro to promote safe driving among teenagers. Nearly three dozen young drivers will spend the day at the driving course at Middle Tennessee State University learning about the dangers of drinking and driving. They will also see first hand how cell phones and radios are major distractions for inexperienced drivers.

WHO: Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt Harold Gooding, State Farm representatives, teen drivers

WHAT: Teen Driver Safety Program

WHEN: Friday, October 31, 2008

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Middle Tennessee State University Driving Course

Greenland Drive

Murfreesboro, TN

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the leading cause of fatalities among teens in the United States. Nationally, teen drivers are a four times greater risk for crashes than older adults and are involved in 15 percent of fatal crashes, but make up 6.7% of the total driving population. In 2007, 166 Tennessee teenagers were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

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.

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