WHAT: Learning to drive is a big step in life's journey. On September 15, community leaders in Tennessee will join with hundreds of other locations across North America in a show of support for teen drivers, helping them stay safe as they embark on the road ahead.
Car crashes are the number one killer of teens, and according to the Center for Disease Control, their first year on the road as a new driver is the most dangerous. Though traditional scare tactics can be engaging for some, State Farm and others believe a supportive and positive approach to teen driver safety in addition to education, awareness, legislation and enforcement is key to keeping teens engaged and safe on the road. With this in mind, State Farm is debuting a different teen driver safety program called Celebrate My Drive.
All across the U.S. and Canada, State Farm® will be rallying communities to promote teen driver safety by hosting more than 300 events simultaneously on Sept. 15. Tennessee is home to several of the events and State Farm is encouraging area residents to attend to support teens as they learn to drive and get ready for the road ahead.
The Tennessee Celebrate My Drive events will feature giveaways and entertainment. The event is free and is open to the entire community.
Interested community members can show their support for a local school by voting for the school to win a $100,000 grant at celebratemydrive.com between September 10 and September 15. State Farm is giving a total of 14 $100,000 grants to high schools across the U.S. and Canada.
Fourteen teenagers (ages 15-18) and their families, who participate in the school grant voting process, will win a grand prize, a brand new Chevy Sonic LS! Learn more by visiting www.facebook.com/CelebrateMyDrive.
NOTE: Media may contact Kip Diggs at (615) 692-6682 to arrange for advance interviews with participating teens and their parents. Community leaders and participants also will be available for interviews during the day of the event.
| Chattanooga 2012 Riverfront Nights Music Series Ross's Landing 100 Riverfront Parkway Chattanooga, TN 37402 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
| Gallatin Newton Nissan 1461 Nashville Pike Gallatin, TN 37066 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Knoxville West Town Mall 7600 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 9 a.m. - Noon |
| Memphis Tiger Lane/Liberty Bowl Memphis, TN 37402 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
| Murfreesboro State Farm Operations Center 2500 Memorial Boulevard Murfreesboro, TN 37130 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Nashville Opry Mills Mall 433 Opry Mills Drive Nashville, TN 37214 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Newport Cocke County High School 216 Hedrick Drive Newport, TN 37821 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
| Sparta Tommy Pedigo Agency 124 E. Bockman Way Sparta, TN 38583 9 a.m. - Noon |
Kip Diggs, Public Affairs Specialist, (615) 692-6682.
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.
