Spring formals, graduation celebrations and summer jobs are just a few calendar pages away. General Casualty Insurance Companies wants teens to be safer and more educated drivers when facing these increased driving responsibilities.
Along with the Sun Prairie School District, the company is hosting Traffic Safety Night on Monday, March 29 at Prairie View Middle School (400 N. Thompson Rd.). The program will run from 6 to 8 p.m., and all Sun Prairie students who are currently enrolled or have recently completed a driver education program and their parents are encouraged to attend.
The program will focus on teen alcohol use and driving, graduated licensing requirements and factors affecting insurance rates for teenage drivers. Presenters include Jennifer Neibuhr from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, John Olson from Sun Prairie High School and Gary Tribbey from General Casualty Insurance Companies. Sun Prairie native Gerald Lynch, Jr. will also speak about the dangers of drinking and driving. Lynch was driving under the influence and caused an accident that killed a woman in March 2003.
“Our goal is to get parents and teens talking about driving issues. They need to be aware that irresponsible driving, such as speeding and drinking and driving, directly impacts their insurance rates, and more importantly the safety of themselves and others,” said Gary Tribbey, General Casualty personal lines business analyst. “Showing this dollar impact can be a big eye-opener.”
Traffic Safety Night will begin with a pizza dinner, followed by presentations and an opportunity for parents and teens to develop a teen driving contract. The contract outlines the teen’s driving responsibilities and the consequences if those responsibilities are not met, encouraging them to discuss these issues before problems develop.
“Teens have the highest risk of accidents when they’re 16 years old. We want to educate new drivers and help cut down on this risk, while reducing accidents and unsafe behaviors on the road,” said Hollie Bowker, General Casualty’s corporate relations manager. Since 2001, General Casualty and the Sun Prairie Area School District have sponsored Traffic Safety Night twice a year to help ensure that teen driving is a positive and safe experience. It routinely draws 150-200 guests.
Traffic Safety Night is open to all Sun Prairie High School driver education students and their parents. The course is strongly recommended for new drivers as well.
Read a column from company expert Gary Tribbey on how to select the proper vehicle for your teen.
For more information please contact Anne M. Smith.