New Distracted Driving Grant Program Available In South Dakota

Miss South Dakota Loren Vaillancourt and State Farm are trying to change a dangerous trend in South Dakota – distracted driving. In May 2009, Loren lost her only sibling, Kelson, 21, because of distracted driving.

This January, State Farm and Loren are upping the ante in South Dakota. The partnership is offering a new grant program to the state, but the amount of money donated is up to you.

Two South Dakota schools will receive grants to implement anti-distracted driving programs. The total dollar amount of the grants will reflect the number of people who “like” Loren’s online diary of her personal campaign against distracted driving. State Farm will donate up to $10,000 for the grant program.

Loren’s video diary will be posted on the State Farm Teen Driver Safety Facebook page starting today and continuing through the Miss America pageant on Jan. 15. The number of “likes” will be tracked from Jan. 3 - 15.

In the days before the Miss America pageant, Vaillancourt will blog about her experiences and her anti-distracted driving platform on www.facebook.com/#!/sfteendriving. Beginning Jan. 17, State Farm will accept grant applications from South Dakota schools at www.statefarm.com/southDakota. Applications close March 31 and grant winners will be announced in May.

“Dangers on the road affect 100% of people in our nation. When people take unnecessary risks and drive distracted it kills innocent people,” Vaillancourt said. “No family should have to go through the pain my family has endured.”

Loren is drawing attention to the terrible risks associated with distracted driving by touring South Dakota visiting schools, parent groups and civic organizations to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving. In December, she stopped at a Rapid City, S.D. school to tell her story. Check it out here.

Visit this site for detailed instructions and rules on the grant program.

Please click here for the Drive the Dollars grant application.