National Safety Council announces 2014 Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award winners

Groups recognized for their sustained efforts to help save young lives

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Sep 11, 2014, 02:57 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council today announced two winners of its 6^th annual Teen Driving Safety Leadership Awards, supported by the General Motors Foundation. The Council will honor Gordy Pehrson of the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, and the Nebraska-based Norfolk Panther JOOI (Junior Optimist Octagon International) Clubs.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council) (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

The Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions. The winners stood out among more than 40 nominees because their programs have achieved measurable success in the fight to save teen drivers' lives.

"The GM Foundation understands the profound cost of teen car crashes to families and communities," said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president of Global Public Policy at the GM Foundation. "So do these deserving organizations that have gone above and beyond to help young drivers. It's only fitting the National Safety Council recognizes their critical work to help save lives and make our roads safer."

Pehrson started the Point of Impact program at the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety to help parents understand Graduated Driver Licensing laws. The program is a 1 ½ hour class for parents and their teens that's implemented in conjunction with driver's education classroom programs. Pehrson grew the parent awareness program from15 to 79 communities in a short period of time. Pre- and post-class surveys showed a more than 100 percent increase in parental knowledge of teen driving laws.

The Norfolk Panther JOOI Clubs worked with several national campaigns such as Celebrate My Drive, It Can Wait, Act Out Loud and Teens in the Driver's Seat. Their efforts have contributed to the pending Nebraska Roadway Safety Act, which would improve safety belt, texting and Graduated Driver Licensing laws.

"We are excited to recognize those who are solving a traffic safety problem involving our youngest, most vulnerable drivers," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of NSC. "The entire traffic safety community is stronger because of efforts like these that truly move the needle by saving lives and preventing injuries."

To learn more about this year's honorees, visit nsc.org/teenaward. Representatives from the two organizations will receive their awards at the annual NSC Defensive Driving Courses Awards Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13 during the 2014 NSC Congress & Expo in San Diego.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council