MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will develop a new teen-driver education program with help from a $9,000 grant awarded by Ford Driving Skills for Life and the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Alabama is one of just five states selected by Ford and the Governors Highway Safety Association to receive a share of $70,000 in funding to support teen safe-driving activities. ADECA will develop and conduct teen driving fairs at high schools across the state. The events will feature exhibits to attract student interest while delivering safe-driving messages.
“It is critical that teens learn safe-driving habits during their first years behind the wheel,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “Thanks to Ford and the Governors Highway Safety Association, this additional funding will enhance our efforts to promote highway safety and give us the opportunity to develop a program focused specifically on teen drivers.”
In 2015 there were 35 fatalities and 3,259 injuries resulting from 24,971 crashes involving teen drivers in Alabama, according to the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety. ADECA’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division partners with state and local law enforcement agencies to support efforts to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Alabama’s highways, including providing federal grant funding for overtime pay for officers and deputies to conduct extra patrols during peak travel periods like the July 4 holiday weekend.
In April, ADECA partnered with GHSA to bring the Ford Driving Skills for Life training program to Montgomery. About 200 teens participated in the program which paired young and inexperienced drivers with professional instructors who gave them the training and tools they need to stay safe behind the wheel.
“Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for American teens, yet many states and local governments face a shortage of resources to address this critical issue,” GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said. “GHSA and our state highway safety office members truly value Ford Driving Skills for Life’s continued support of our safe teen driving efforts across the country.”
Along with Alabama, the four other state receiving funding are Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland.
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