Grant from The Allstate Foundation Enhances Local Safe Driving Program for Teens
Thanks to a grant from The Allstate Foundation, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester will enhance its Smart Teen Driving Program with a new safe driving awareness event, the “Young Roc Roadeo,” on Oct. 4. The $30,000 grant helps fund the overall program, co-created by UR Medicine’s Emergency Department and Golisano Children’s Hospital, which aims to educate young drivers on safe driving messages and reduce the rate of car-related injuries among the age group.
In addition to providing a Teen-Parent Driving Contract at Monroe County Department of Motor Vehicles Offices, the Smart Teen Driving Program’s initiatives also include workshops and the promotion of safety messages at community events.
The most popular program among teens is a “Truth and Consequences” workshop designed to educate young drivers on how distraction and inexperience can lead to tragic outcomes. Traffic safety specialists travel to schools and community organizations to discuss risky driving behaviors, current laws on graduated driver’s licenses and more. Health care professionals are also in attendance to talk about the impact of trauma. Another version of the workshop is held at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Pediatric Emergency Department in conjunction with the Kessler Trauma Center’s division of trauma surgery at URMC. Trauma is shown from a medical standpoint, beginning with a 911 call and ending with rehabilitation.
“We continue to treat many teens injured in motor vehicle crashes in the emergency department,” said Anne Brayer, M.D., program director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and pediatric emergency room physician at UR Medicine’s Emergency Department at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “Our goal is to reduce the number and severity of injuries through educational program geared to teens.”
The Allstate Foundation will also play a key role in sponsoring the area’s first “Young Roc Roadeo,” a free safe driving awareness event targeting ages 14 to 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 4, in the VIP Lot of Rochester’s Frontier Field, 333 Plymouth Ave. Created by Injury Free Rochester, the expo will feature interactive safe driving demonstrations, information on what to do if you are involved in a crash, what visibility is like for a driver of a semi-truck, simple car maintenance education, a Battle of the Belts competition, and more. Representatives from Allstate will host its “X the TXT” program and Bridgestone’s “Teens Drive Smart,” FedEx and the Rochester Cycling Alliance will also be in attendance, among others. Local radio station 98PXY will be broadcasting live from the lot, playing hit music for attendees and sharing safe driving messages with its listeners. There will also be continuous drawings and prizes, with gas cards being a main item.
“This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event,” said Karen Knauf, program manager of Rochester’s Injury Free Coalition for Kids. “It is an opportunity for young drivers to have a more hands-on understanding of common situations they may experience while on the road and this type of event will allow attendees to have fun while learning the importance of safe driving.”
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. Over the last 60 years, the Foundation has contributed nearly $300 million to organizations and projects in communities throughout the nation. For more information, visit www.allstatefoundation.org.