NSC and ADEPT Driver partner to offer teenSMART skills training for parents and teens

teenSMART program will complement existing NSC products designed to keep teen drivers safe

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May 22, 2013, 11:10 ET

ITASCA, Ill., May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council today announced it has partnered with ADEPT Driver to offer the teenSMART program. teenSMART is a computer-based, crash avoidance program for teen drivers that focuses on the six areas research shows lead to the largest number of teen crashes: visual search, hazard detection, speed adjustment, space management, risk perception and lifestyle issues.

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"Half of all teenagers will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school," said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "The teenSMART program, grounded in research, provides teens and their parents with tools to help them develop safe driving skills, which are critical to the safety of teen drivers and those who share the roads with them."

The teenSMART program gives teen drivers structured driving practice through realistic computer simulations and brings parents and teens together for behind-the-wheel driving practice. Teens need driving experience to become safe drivers and parents must understand how to best help their teens practice. The teenSMART program provides some of that necessary experience and builds understanding in a manner proven to reduce teen crashes.

teenSMART will complement current NSC safe driving programs for parents and teens including the Council's Alive at 25 classroom program. teenSMART will be available for purchase through driveitHOME.org, which is another signature parent-teen driving initiative of NSC.

"Teen drivers that complete the teenSMART program have significantly fewer and less severe crashes," said Dr. Richard Harkness, CEO of ADEPT Driver. "Because teenSMART is proven to reduce teen driver crashes, several leading insurance companies offer substantial insurance discounts for completing the program. Through this partnership with NSC we hope many more young drivers will use the teenSMART program to improve their safe driving skills and increase roadway safety."

ADEPT was a recipient of the 2012 NSC Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award which recognizes exceptional contributions to teen driver safety.

About ADEPT Driver
Advanced Drivers Education Products and Training, Inc. (ADEPT) assembled a world-class team of renowned doctors and behavioral scientists, insurance industry leaders and traffic-safety experts to develop teenSMART. The teenSMART program is the most evaluated and validated teen driver crash reduction program available today. It is internationally recognized for measurably improving teen driver skills and reducing teen driver crashes.

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