ASMSA students commit to safe driving
Students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts are teaming up with State Farm Insurance Co. to Celebrate My Drive by making a commitment to safe driving.
Through the Celebrate My Drive program, State Farm is promoting safe driving practices such as 2N2 — 2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel — among teens nationwide. State Farm is using Celebrate My Drive to engage teens while they learn to drive in a supportive and positive way with a community celebration of safe driving habits that emphasizes the benefits of safe choices.
Car crashes have been the leading cause of death of teens ages 14 to 18 for more than 30 years, said Clayre Messenger, State Farm sales leader for Southwest Arkansas, during an Oct. 14 assembly at ASMSA.
“The major reason for them to get involved is to increase their awareness of safe driving habits, especially when they’re in a car with their friends,” Messenger said.
Heather Powell, a State Farm agent in Hot Springs and the mother of ASMSA senior Darbe Powell, said it’s especially important that ASMSA students have safe driving habits
as they return home for visits and breaks.
ASMSA Community Developer Stacey Perry said safe driving is important for all teenage drivers.
“Whether it’s listening to music or Snapchatting or texting, the temptation is there for them to multitask,” Perry said. “We need to encourage, as State Farm puts it, 2N2 — their eyes are on the road, their hands are on the wheel — they’re not fidgeting or being sidetracked and looking elsewhere.”
ASMSA students, their parents, family members, friends and community members were encouraged to commit to safe driving, once each day from Oct. 15-24. Their daily commitment served as a vote for ASMSA in the Celebrate My Drive contest. Perry said ASMSA students would be encouraged each day to take a few minutes to make a commitment. Prize giveaways for students were planned throughout the 10-day period.
Powell said it is a great opportunity for schools to win a grant that can provide additional funds for programs.