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Florida coalition receives $60,000 grant to promote teen driver safety

By Nicolle Osorio, WFTV.com

File photo. (anyaberkut/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

By Nicolle Osorio, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — State Farm announced its support to a Florida-based teen traffic safety group through a generous contribution.

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The Florida Teen Safety Driving Coalition received a $60,000 grant from State Farm to educate parents, law enforcement, and teenagers on the importance of traffic safety.

The grant will also fund the following projects in the state:

  • Creation of a ‘Battle of the Belts Kit’ to promote the use of the safety belt among teens.
  • Offer ‘Ground your Parents Kits’ flyers statewide to improve parent-teen communication on safe driving.
  • Host traffic safety workshops/presentations across high schools in Florida.
  • Give parents, teenagers, and law enforcement educational material on traffic safety.

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Car crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths, but these could be prevented.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, beginner teen drivers are likelier than adult drivers to be involved in a fatal crash due to a lack of experience and knowledge of how to react when feeling unsafe on the road.

Melissa Valido, Executive Director of the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition, is excited to receive the grant.

“With this funding, we can continue to make a positive impact on the safety of Florida’s roads by providing education and resources to parents, teens, and law enforcement,” she said.

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Jose Soto, State Farm’s Corporate Responsibility Analyst, said that educational resources could address the issue among teen drivers.

“Education is the key to reducing the number of teen-related crashes in Florida,” he said. “We are proud to support the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition in their mission to promote traffic safety education.”

To learn more about the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition, click here.

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