Orange County, CA. – Pediatricians are among America’s most-trusted allies for information on children’s health. Now they are lending their expertise to address a public health crisis affecting thousands of families—teen driving deaths. The Allstate Foundation and eight chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), chosen through competitive proposals, have joined forces to combat this epidemic and educate communities on the importance of stronger graduated driver licensing laws. The AAP recommends that states adopt, improve and enforce these laws for teen drivers.

In the decade from 2000-2009, more than 81,000 people were killed in crashes involving drivers age 15 to 20. Each year nearly 4,000 teens are killed on America’s roadways. While the numbers are staggering, graduated driver licensing policies have been proven effective by more than 70 studies and shown to reduce crashes by up to 40 percent.

“Allstate and The Allstate Foundation are committed to making sure that no American family has to deal with the loss of a loved one due to a teen driving crash,” said Vicky Dinges, vice president of public social responsibility at Allstate. “The AAP lends a credible and respected voice to this initiative and will help to give communities the tools and education needed to protect our most valuable asset—our children.”

The Orange County Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will be bringing together teen safe driving experts, law enforcement, school personnel, pediatricians, teens and their parents, and community leaders to discuss the issues surrounding teen safe driving; how to empower all teens to stay safe in a vehicle; and, how to increase compliance in the graduated driver license law. They will develop educational tools and resources regarding teen driving and occupant safety for use by Orange County pediatricians. “As pediatricians, parents and grandparents, we must crash proof our teens by role modeling safe driving, enforcing the graduated driver licensing and distracted driver laws, and selecting an appropriate car for our teens”. (Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH, Medical Director Teen Driving project)

To learn more about The Allstate Foundation and its partnership with the AAP, visit www.allstatefoundation.org.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.allstatefoundation.org.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.