BIANJ launches Teen Safe Driving Contest to Crack Down on Distracted Driving
Statewide contest encourages New Jersey high school students and teachers to become teen safe driving advocates
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) is proud to launch the 4th Annual 'U Got Brains Champion Schools Program' – a contest challenging New Jersey high school students and teachers to develop fun and interactive campaigns aimed at educating teens about the importance of safe driving.
In 2012, more than 3,300 people were killed nationally and an estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. Since 2009, the Champion Schools Program has been committed to empowering students to take a positive approach in addressing the number one cause of death and disability among teens.
The message is simple: Keeping New Jersey's roads safe is everyone's responsibility.
"The Champion Schools Program highlights the importance of teens and adults working together to promote safe driving habits," states Barbara Geiger-Parker, BIANJ's President and CEO.
Over the last three years, almost 100 high schools in 20 counties throughout the state developed campaigns addressing every aspect of teen safe driving through powerful public service announcements and music videos, to the invention of a cellphone "safe box" that disables a car's radio until the driver's cellphone is locked inside the box.
"Each year, we've been amazed at the effort and creativity on the part of the students and staff at the participating schools," states Geiger-Parker. "It's encouraging that so many schools are becoming a key component in the development of safe young drivers."
This year, students from 58 New Jersey high schools have been chosen to participate. To see the list of participating schools, visit: www.ugotbrains.com/champion-schools
The program will culminate in a Showcase & Awards Luncheon on June 4, 2014 at iPlay America in Freehold, NJ. The top two campaigns, selected by a panel of expert judges, are awarded the grand prize – a driving simulator donated by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM).
Additional sponsors of the program are New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, The Allstate Foundation, DriveSafer, iPlay America, State Farm, LifeSaver, Nikhil Badlani Foundation, NJ Teen Driving Safety Coalition, DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation, The Council on Brain Injury, AT&T, AAAClubs at New Jersey, and Volvo.
About BIANJ
Established in 1981, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit organization that services more than 10,000 individuals annually through its family support, advocacy, and education and prevention programs. Over the last 30 years, BIANJ has brought together people with brain injury, their families and friends, and concerned allied health professionals to improve the quality of life people experience after brain injury. For more information, please visit www.bianj.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jon Kinsella
732.745.0200
[email protected]
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SOURCE Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey
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