KeyBank Launches Key to Safe Teen Driving

CLEVELAND, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- KeyBank is launching a free program designed to improve teen driving skills and raise awareness about the importance of proper training for young drivers.

Nearly 5,000 U.S. teens die each year in traffic accidents, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15-to-20-year-olds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Driving instructors at The Mid-Ohio School note that the average 16-year-old soccer player has had 1,500 hours of coaching, while the average 16-year-old driver has had only 50 hours of driver training.

The new KeyBank program, called Key to Safe Teen Driving, will be conducted in conjunction with The Mid-Ohio School with support from Kumho Tire USA. The program begins June 23 and will make stops at eight schools in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Indianapolis.

Key to Safe Teen Driving will offer a condensed version of The Mid-Ohio School's Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program. 110 students at each school will receive classroom instruction and practice in wet braking and emergency lane change maneuvers under the guidance of Mid-Ohio School instructors. Students will also drive the Honda Civic Skid Car, which simulates driving in slick conditions, and learn about the dangers of driving while texting or talking on a cell phone.

"KeyBank is committed to investing in local programs that are meaningful and beneficial to the communities it serves," said Bill Koehler, president of KeyBank's Great Lakes Region. "Key is teaming with The Mid-Ohio School to give teens additional driving skills that aren't taught in regular driver training programs. While this program will touch nearly 900 student drivers, its impact can be much greater by raising awareness among teens about the importance of driving responsibly and by raising awareness among parents about the importance of proper training for young drivers."

"We are pleased to partner with KeyBank and Kumho Tire to bring the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program to the backyards of nearly 900 young drivers," said Michelle Trueman Gajoch, president of TrueSports, Inc., owner and operator of The Mid-Ohio School.  "The skills taught in this program act as preventive medicine for the inexperienced driver. It is gratifying to have KeyBank join us in taking a pro-active stance on The Mid-Ohio School's mission of saving tomorrow's leaders today."

"Kumho Tires is excited to help take Key to Safe Teen Driving on the road," said Rudy Consolacion, motorsports Manager for Kumho Tire USA. "Being part of this initiative allows us to give back to communities by helping teens improve their driving skills and learn about the importance of tire maintenance."

Key to Safe Teen Driving events will be held at the following schools:

Cleveland

• June 23- Kenston High School
• June 24- Lorain County Community College

Columbus

• July 14- Hilliard Darby High School
• July 15- Pickerington North High School

Toledo

• July 21- Sylvania Southview High School
• July 22- Perrysburg High School

Indianapolis

• July 28- Beech Grove High School
• July 29- Hamilton Southeastern High School

Registration for the first event will open June 9. Complete information can be found at www.keytosafeteendriving.com. Parents can also call 877-793-TMOS (8667) for more information.

About KeyCorp

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $93 billion. BusinessWeek magazine named Key the top bank on its 2009 "Customer Service Champ" list, ranking Key 11th out of 25 companies known for customer service acumen. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/.

About The Mid-Ohio School

The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels. In 17 seasons, The Mid-Ohio School has 35,600 graduates, including 11,400 teenagers. For more information, visit www.midohioschool.com.

About Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire Co., Inc., of Seoul, South Korea, manufactures and distributes a complete line of tires for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty trucks. Kumho Tire U.S.A. is the U.S. distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. For more information, visit www.kumhotire.com.

SOURCE KeyBank