KeyBank Expands Key To Safe Teen Driving Program

CLEVELAND, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyBank is expanding a free program designed to improve teen driving skills and raise awareness about the importance of proper training for young drivers.

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KeyBank conducted its Key to Safe Teen Driving program in four cities in Ohio and Indiana last summer, in conjunction with The Mid-Ohio School and Kumho Tire USA. For 2011, the program is expanding to nine cities in Ohio and Indiana.

According to Tom Tulodzieski, president of KeyBank's Great Lakes Region, Key is sponsoring the program because it is designed to improve teen driving skills and raise awareness about the importance of proper training for young drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15-to-20-year-olds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"Our mission at KeyBank is to help clients and communities thrive," said Tulodzieski. "This program helps teens thrive by teaching them driving skills that aren't taught in regular driver training programs. While this program will touch nearly 1700 teen drivers, its impact can be much greater by raising awareness about the importance of proper training for young drivers."

Key to Safe Teen Driving offers a condensed version of The Mid-Ohio School's Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program. 120 students at each event will receive classroom instruction, practice wet braking and emergency lane change maneuvers, and drive the Honda Civic Skid Car, which simulates driving in slick conditions.

"This important program has tremendous impact on so many people," said Craig Rust, president of The Mid-Ohio School. "I am thrilled that we are able to work so closely with KeyBank and Kumho Tire to expand the program in 2011. The skills that participants learn will last a lifetime and truly help save lives."

"Kumho is excited to be back in 2011 to help take Key to Safe Teen Driving on the road," said Rick Brennan, vice president of marketing for Kumho Tire USA. "Being part of this valuable initiative allows us to give back to communities by helping teens improve their driving skills and teaching them about the importance of proper tire maintenance."

The 2011 schedule includes:

Registration for all events is open at www.keytosafeteendriving.com. Parents can also call 877-793-TMOS (8667) for more information.

About KeyCorp

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $90 billion. BusinessWeek magazine named Key the top bank on its 2009 "Customer Service Champ" list, ranking Key 11th out of 25 companies known for customer service acumen. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/.

SOURCE KeyBank