California

State Farm®, Local Law Enforcement, and El Segundo High School Participate in the Every 15 Minutes Program

State Farm Insurance partnered with the El Segundo Police Department to bring the Every 15 Minutes program to students at El Segundo High School on June 2-3, 2011.

The timing of the event - days before prom night - was intentional, as Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program intended for high school juniors and seniors. It challenges them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, making mature decisions, and the ripple effect their decisions have on others - most importantly, family, friends, and the innocent victims left behind.

On Day 1 of the program, the “Grim Reaper” unexpectedly removed students from class to represent the “living dead” and the consequences of making bad decisions behind the wheel. This was followed by a simulated drunk driving collision involving pre-selected students, staged for the benefit of the student body. Beginning with the 9-1-1 call and continuing with paramedics, law enforcement, firefighters, and ultimately the coroner, this simulation gave students the stark reality of what occurs in a severe crash involving teen drivers under the influence. For participating students, this simulation continued throughout the day and into the night.

The following day, students once again assembled in the gymnasium to watch a video recounting the previous day. They heard from the “deceased” as well as their parents, who shared their reactions to their children’s “deaths.” Additionally, a guest speaker addressed the students about losing her mother in a DUI-related accident involving a teenage driver. Finally, State Farm Agent Lulu Camberos addressed the students, providing additional information on the dangers of drinking and driving.

Partnering with El Segundo High School at its Every 15 Minutes program was Camberos, her team member, Iliana Brenes, and State Farm Public Affairs Specialists Priscilla Orozco and Eddie Martinez.

“I feel so proud to be part of this amazing experience,” Camberos said. “The crash, and the reaction of these kids as they watched the dramatic events unfold, really brought home the reason why State Farm is connected to such a worthwhile cause. I’m proud to be a part of this event.”

Since 2006, State Farm has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on the Young Drivers Research Initiative to fund research in the area of Teen Driver Safety. This research has confirmed what many have suspected, teens are at a high risk of being involved in tragic vehicle crashes. In fact, sixteen-year-olds are three-times more likely to die in a car crash than other drivers, and two-or-more teen passengers make fatal teen crash risks five times more likely. Click here for more information on this research.