The Florida chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has announced that 45 high schools in the state will receive $1,000 grants funded by State Farm. The grants will be used to develop safe driving campaigns for teens.
SADD is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. The program is dedicated to educating students, parents and others in the community about problems affecting young drivers, such as speeding and distracted driving.
This year, SADD partnered with State Farm to provide grants to SADD chapters in local high schools across the state. The grants will be used to support and develop safe driving campaigns in the schools, with messages tailored to individual communities.
Many of the schools have chosen to emphasize the dangers of distracted driving.
According to a local news report, one school plans to produce an anti-distracted driving video. Other projects include safety fairs and seatbelt checks.
Distracted driving is a growing problem among teens in Florida and across the country. According to www.distraction.gov, the U.S. government website for distracted driving, young people are most likely to text and talk behind the wheel. The site also states that traffic crashes are the primary cause of death for teens.
According to recent statistics published on that site, 11 percent of all drivers below 20 years of age involved in fatal crashes were said to be distracted at the time the crash occurred, which is the age group with the largest number of drivers who were distracted. Furthermore, reports show that 40 percent of teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cellphone in a way that put others in danger.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, applauds SADD and State Farm for encouraging responsible driving. We urge all Florida drivers to pay attention behind the wheel.
If a distracted driver in Florida has injured you or someone you love, you may need an experienced Florida accident attorney. Call us today at (800) 299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
