AAA, Detroit Tigers, Michigan State Police and Office of Highway Safety Planning Team up for 'Teen Driving Safety Weekend' at Comerica Park

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May 27, 2010, 10:30 ET

DEARBORN, Mich., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Car crashes end more teen lives every day than cancer, suicide and homicide combined. That's why AAA Michigan, the Detroit Tigers, Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) joined together today (May 27) to encourage teens to be safe drivers this Memorial Day weekend, the start of the summer driving season.

The organizations are involved in a key traffic safety message aimed at all drivers – but especially important for new teen drivers – pay attention while driving, buckle up and avoid alcohol this holiday.

AAA Michigan projects 1.1 million state residents will travel this holiday weekend, with 86 percent going by motor vehicle. Many of those will be new teen drivers. For the first time, AAA teamed with the Detroit Tigers to bring the teen traffic safety message to Comerica Park. "We will have two of our new state-of-the-art driving simulators at the ball park Friday and Saturday (4:30 to 7 p.m.) for teens to test their driving skills," said AAA Traffic Safety Manager Jack Peet.

The simulators will operate prior to the 7:05 p.m. game each night with the Tigers and the Oakland Athletics.

"We take the safety of our fans very seriously, and we're proud to partner with AAA to encourage our teenage drivers, and all drivers, to practice safe driving," said Ron Colangelo, Vice President, Communications, Detroit Tigers. "This is an important message we want everyone to help us deliver, and that's to 'be smart, be careful and be safe.' We encourage our teenage fans who attend the games on May 28 and 29 at Comerica Park to participate in the driving simulators to test their driving skills. "

In recognition of "Teen Driving Safety Weekend," teens and families will pay $10 per ticket for seats at Comerica Park in Sections 210-219, $5 off. To purchase, visit http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ticketing/baseballbuddies.jsp?loc=aaa.

To keep motorists safer, ongoing law enforcement traffic safety campaigns are underway – MSP's "Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort)" which runs during the three summer holidays, and OHSP's two-week "Click It or Ticket" safety belt mobilization.

"Seat belts are a motorist's best defense in the event of a crash," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "Buckling up reduces the risk of serious injury or death by 50 percent."

AAA Michigan has purchased traffic safety banners and is once again partnering with MSP in supporting Operation C.A.R.E. "We encouraging all drivers – especially teens – to pay attention behind the wheel and avoid distractions," said MSP Second District Commander Captain Harold Love. He noted that volunteers this weekend will provide coffee and traffic safety literature at many of the state's rest stops.

All of the organizations encourage parents to play a leading role in developing their teen driver through regular dialogue, selecting a quality driving school, using a parent-teen driving contract, extensive practice driving and choosing a safe vehicle for their new teen driver.

AAA.com

SOURCE AAA Michigan