Miss Illinois to speak today to teen drivers at Mount Pulaski High School

[May 23, 2011]  MOUNT PULASKI -- The reigning 2010-11 Miss Illinois, Whitney Thorpe Klinsky, will speak to the students of Mount Pulaski High School today at 10:30 a.m. on the dangers of distracted driving. Miss Illinois, in partnership with State Farm Insurance, has created a powerful and personal presentation that promotes good decision-making among teen drivers when they are behind the wheel.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell has also filed House Resolution 373 proclaiming May 23 to be Mount Pulaski High School Teens Drive Safe Day.

Automobile crashes continue to be the leading cause of death and injury to teenage drivers, and teens are nearly 10 times more likely to be in an accident within their first year of driving.

By speaking to high school students across the state, Miss Illinois will have the opportunity to reach thousands of students with facts, statistics and her own personal experiences. Having been raised in a small, tight-knit community, Thorpe-Klinsky will draw upon the losses she has witnessed throughout her life to help students truly comprehend the potential consequences of their decisions.

[Text from file received]