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 "In 2007, the first year of OTSD, a total of 155 teens died in automobile
crashes on Illinois roadways," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L.
Schneider. "In 2012, the provisional count shows that 71 teens died in Illinois
crashes. We want to see that number at zero, but the 2012 experience is less
than half the number we saw in 2007, and we think that is a huge step in the
right direction. We will not be satisfied until we reach zero fatalities, and we
believe this nationally recognized, peer-led program is an excellent tool to
help us try to continue this positive trend."
A total of 105 schools statewide were selected initially to participate in
the innovative OTSD program, modeled after the Ford Motor Company Fund's
nationally recognized Ford
Driving Skills for Life teen safety program. The sixth year of the statewide
program kicked off in August 2012, encouraging high school students to use their
creativity and imagination to develop a program to educate their peers on the
dangers of unsafe driving practices.
"It is important to note that teen safe driving is a partnership effort, and
no single program is the sole reason for improved numbers," Schneider said. "OTSD
and Ford Driving Skills for Life work hand in hand, and both are very effective.
We also want to commend the secretary of state for implementing the graduated
license program for teens in Illinois, which has been another very effective
tool in reducing teen driving deaths."
"The Ford Motor Company Fund is very pleased to be returning for the sixth
year as the lead partner of this important teen safe driving initiative," said
Jim Graham, manager of Ford's Driving Skills for Life program. "The issue of
inexperience with newly licensed drivers is serious, and we are proud to provide
a step in the learning process to help teens gain more experience on the roads."
More than 35 schools have been invited to participate in the Ride and Drive
events of the Ford Driving Skills for Life program. These events will take place
in Chicago on April 15-16 and in Springfield on April 18-19. The Ride and Drive
events will feature professional drivers providing young drivers with rigorous
behind-the-wheel driving exercises, including hazard recognition and accident
avoidance, vehicle handling and skid control, and speed and space management.
Additionally, the top five winning schools in each of the seven regions will
receive prizes ranging from $500 to $2,500 to host a post-prom event.
"The Allstate Foundation is honored to continue to serve as a leading partner
in this effort to educate Illinois teens about the value and importance of safe
driving -- and ultimately save lives," said Bill McGrath, regional sales leader
at Allstate Insurance. "As we approach prom season, graduation and summer
vacation -- the most deadly time for teen drivers -- now is a perfect time to
remind teens about the dangers of distracted driving and the safety
responsibilities they take on every time they get behind the wheel."
The Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing program, championed by the secretary
of state, became law on Jan. 1, 2008, and required additional behind-the-wheel
driving experience for young drivers, under the watchful eye of a parent or
guardian. The graduated license law limits in-car distractions and requires
teens to earn their way from one stage to the next by avoiding traffic
convictions. Leading national traffic safety experts have recognized the law as
one of the best in the nation.
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"When I established the
Teen Driver Safety Task Force, the goal was to overhaul
Illinois' graduated driver licensing law in a manner that would save
lives," said Secretary of State White. "I am encouraged that teen
driving deaths are down by over 50 percent since the law took effect
Jan. 1, 2008. Illinois' comprehensive GDL program, in conjunction
with the Operation Teen Safe Driving initiative, is having the
intended impact on teen driving safety. My congratulations to the
winners, as well as to all the schools that participated in this
important program. Working together, we can save more lives and make
Illinois roads safer for all of us."
The winning schools in each region
are:
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Region One: First
place, Oak Forest; second place, Tinley Park; third place,
Hillcrest High School; fourth place, Wells Academy; fifth place,
Eisenhower High School
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Region Two: First
place, Plainfield East High School; second place, Glenbard East
High School; third place, Momence High School; fourth place, HD
Jacobs High School; fifth place, St. Anne High School
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Region Three:
First place, Sandwich High School; second place, Riverdale High
School; third place, West Carroll High School; fourth place,
Erie High School; fifth place, Henry-Senachwine High School
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Region Four: First
place, Quincy High School; second place, Fieldcrest High School;
third place, ROWVA High School; fourth place, Triopia High
School; fifth place, Beardstown High School
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Region Five: First
place, Casey Westfield; second place, Arcola High School; third
place, Okaw Valley; fourth place, Pana High School; fifth place,
Jamaica High School
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Region Six: First
place, Mater Dei Catholic; second place, Valmeyer High School;
third place, Egyptian High School; fourth place, Murphysboro
High School; fifth place, Carbondale High School
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Region Seven:
First place, Herrin High School; second place NCOE High School;
third place, East Richland (Olney) High School; fourth place,
Sparta High School; fifth place, Wayne City High School
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Transportation file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
