'Celebrate My Drive' campaign set to raise pledges and awareness

Friday, October 10, 2014
Students and staff from all four Putnam County schools met to discuss the driver safety incentive program, Celebrate My Drive, that could net their schools up to $25,000 from pledging not to text and drive. The program is put on by State Farm is is being headed locally by State Farm Agent Brad Tucker. Showing the "two and two" slogan are Jake Riggen (Back row, left) Rebecca Scotland from North Putnam High School; Kristin Scott from South Putnam High School; James Neir, Ethan Baker and Lisa Baker from Cloverdale High School, Joshua Liming and Zach Wilkerson from Greencastle High School and Mathew Dawson from NPHS. Jodi Menke (Front row, left) represents State Farm insurance along with students Katie Hansel and Cidney Erickson from SPHS, Allison White of GHS and insurance agent Brad Tucker. (Photo by KYLE HOLLINGER)

There are more than 1,000 injuries and nearly 10 fatalities every day in the U.S. that are reported to be connected to distracted driving. State Farm's "Celebrate My Drive" campaign is aiming to do something about those numbers through teen driver education and rewards for high school competitions.

For Greencastle State Farm agent Brad Tucker, the fight against these numbers isn't just academic.

"I've dealt with accidents and death," Tucker said regarding his experience at State Farm.

Tucker wants to "change the conversation around teen driving."

During nation teen driver safety week, Oct. 15-24, Putnam County high schools are being encouraged to participate in an online pledge competition that rewards top schools with grant money and a chance to host one of two concerts by the Grammy nominated group The

Band Perry.

Tucker met with a group of student and faculty representatives from each of the four schools in Putnam County on a Saturday morning to provide them with information and materials to help push the pledge drive forward and raise awareness.

The slogan for the program is "2N2" and signifies the importance of two eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel.

Red shirts, cell phone dashpads and dual USB/cigarette chargers for cell phones were handed out, all showcasing the "2N2" image which features a hand holding up a peace sign to signify the number two.

Competition brackets are based on school population, with Putnam County schools competing with similar-sized schools, making the chance to win the competition much more fair to smaller population schools.

The grand prizes include two $100,000 grants with a concert from The Band Perry, second place provides eight schools with $100,000 and third place provides $25,000 for 90 schools.

"Celebrate My Drive is all about keeping teens safe on the road. Let's rally around our new drivers and support them by making our own safe driving commitments," Tucker encouraged.

According to State Farm, 6.3 million safe driving pledges were made across high schools in the U.S. And Canada last year through the campaign.

The goal behind the awareness campaign is to take a different approach to a leading public health risk, with car crashes acting as the number one killer of teenagers, engaging teens in a supportive and positive way instead of simply using scare tactics to showcase what can happen while driving impaired or while distracted.

Person's interested in learning more about the initiative may visit www.celebratemydrive.com or teendriving.statefarm.com or by contacting Brad Tucker at State Farm insurance by calling 653-9007.

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