State Farm, charity launch safe driving event aimed at teens

State Farm Canada has teamed up with Parachute, a charity focused on injury prevention, for a safe driving campaign targeting young drivers.

Canadian teens between 16 and 19 are at a higher risk of death per kilometre than all other age groups, State Farm says.

There are roughly 13% of licensed drivers in Canada that are between 16 and 24, but that age group represents 24% of fatalities and 26% of serious injuries on the road, the insurer says.

The new awareness campaign will be led by Parachute and includes establishing a National Teen Driver Safety Week, to be held in October and the development of a new website with teen driver resources.

During the safety week, State Farm agents in Canada will hold teen driver safety events, the company said. The week will also be party of State Farm’s “Celebrate My Drive” initiative, which also focuses on young driver safety.

The campaign will also involve the creation of a new curriculum for high schools and the appointment of “youth ambassadors” from across Canada.

“We are delighted to join forces with State Farm, who share our belief that action needs to be taken to reduce the tragic loss of young lives to road traffic crashes,” Louise Logan, president and CEO of Parachute commented in a statement. “We’re looking forward to making a real difference with their support.”