The Florida Sheriffs Association is pleased to announce that State Farm has generously contributed $75,000 to the Teen Driver Challenge, an educational driver improvement course developed in 2007. The check was presented to FSA President David Shoar at this week’s 2015 Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference. Since 2010, State Farm’s continued contributions have been a much needed investment for the program, and this most recent grant will make it easier to keep both Florida’s roads and our youngest drivers safe. 

“For the past five years, State Farm has partnered with us to accomplish the goal of saving lives on Florida roads.  It was an honor to present State Farm with the Florida Sheriffs Association President’s Award,” said FSA President Sheriff David Shoar. “Their support makes a difference in the lives of thousands of teens throughout the state.”

The Teen Driver Challenge was created at the request of Florida Sheriffs to combat the high crash and fatality rate of teen drivers on Florida’s highways. This program is the largest commercial driving school in Florida and is offered to teens at no charge. Costs to run this program are covered through contributions from local Sheriff’s Offices and grants from State Farm. Instructors are certified law enforcement officers. They also are certified and licensed by the State of Florida Division of Highway Safety and Motors Vehicles, under the FSA’s State of Florida Commercial Driving School License. 

“State Farm strongly supports efforts that increase auto safety, specifically teen driver safety,” said Jose Soto, public affairs for State Farm. “The Teen Driver Challenge is a perfect fit with our overall strategy to encourage safe driving habits in Florida.”

Based on miles driven, teens are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of deaths for teens.  To date, more than 7,000 teens have successfully completed the Teen Driver Challenge in Florida, which is offered in 35 of the 67 Sheriffs’ Offices in Florida.

“I enjoyed the course and it made me more aware of how to be a much better defensive driver,” said Emily, a recent participant of the Leon County Teen Driver Challenge. “It helped prepare me for situations that I will certainly encounter while driving.”

 For more information on the Teen Driver Challenge, please visit www.teendriverchallenge.com and remember to like the program on Facebook. To register for the program or find class offerings in your area, please contact your local Sheriff’s Office.