National Safety Council Partners with GM to Create Teen Driving Safety Leadership Awards
Itasca, IL. - The National Safety Council is launching a new Teen Driving Safety Leadership Awards program sponsored by General Motors (GM). The program will recognize organizations and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing the rate of accidental injuries and death among teen drivers. The Council will present at least three Teen Driving Safety Leadership Awards annually, beginning at the 2009 National Safety Congress in Orlando, Fla. in October, 2009.
The awards program is open to teens, parents, community safety advocates, legislators, researchers, media, agencies and others that have applied proven methods to preventing motor vehicle crashes involving teens, such at Graduated Driving License laws.
"Each year the United States witnesses more than 7,000 needless deaths and thousands more injuries involving teen drivers. The Council supports effective safety programs and recognizes those who employ injury prevention measures we know can work," said Janet Froetscher, President and CEO of the National Safety Council. "In conjunction with GM, we hope this new program will highlight successful efforts to prevent deaths and injuries on the road."
GM Vice President of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy Elizabeth Lowery added, "We are pleased to support the Council’s launch of what can grow into a prestigious national recognition effort. We are proud to recognize safety leaders across the country that make a difference in their communities."
Award winners will reflect individuals and organizations that have taken actions that might include: advocacy, leadership or coordination of an effort to adopt best practices; enacting legislation based on proven safety methods; enhancing public understanding of teen driving safety issues and prevention methods; and demonstrating a consistent, long-term commitment to teen driving safety leadership.
Award nomination forms will be available at the National Safety Council Web site, NSC.org, beginning in October, 2008.
The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to educating and influencing people to prevent accidental injuries and deaths. Members of the NSC include more than 50,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is promoting safety and health in the workplace, in transportation, and in homes and communities.
