Mercury Insurance Teams up with Anaheim Ducks and CHP to Teach Teens the Dos and Don'ts of Getting Behind the Wheel

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Dec 12, 2017, 13:07 ET

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Anaheim Ducks and Mercury Insurance joined forces at Honda Center in Anaheim on December 9 for the second "Drive Safe Challenge," a one-day driving school immersion designed to equip young drivers with the knowledge and skills to be safe on the road. The program was developed by Mercury Insurance to help reduce the leading cause of teen fatalities – car collisions – and make roads safer for everyone.

Teens from the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League took part in the event, where they learned collision avoidance and car-handling maneuvers from professional driving instructors and participated in a CHP-led classroom segment. Teens were able to meet Ducks Forward, Rickard Rakell.

"The Anaheim Ducks' involvement in the Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge underscores our commitment to making our community a safer place," said Anaheim Ducks Vice President and CMO Aaron Teats. "The teens who participated today learned valuable knowledge and skills about being safe on the road so we're glad to lend a hand to such an important cause."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) teen driver car collisions claim the lives of nearly two teens every day in California.

"Inexperience is one of the primary reasons why teenagers are involved in more collisions than those who have more years behind the wheel," said CHP Officer Florentino Olivera. "Driving a vehicle is a major milestone and a big responsibility for young drivers – this is why we encourage parents to set a good example for their children by displaying safe driving habits behind the wheel. After all, safe driving is about more than just knowing the mechanics of operating a vehicle."

The Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge, initially launched in 2016, is a free defensive driving program that includes hands-on driving skills training and classroom material. An interactive website also provides teens with detailed instructions and gives parents the tools to shape responsible driving behavior.

"If you ask any parent what's most important to them, you'll likely hear the safety and well-being of their children," said Mercury Insurance Vice President of Advertising and Public Relations Erik Thompson. "The Drive Safe Challenge program is designed to educate young drivers and parents on the importance of being alert on the road and gives them the tools and skills to avoid potentially dangerous situations while driving."

Mercury Insurance has created a wealth of free information and tools that parents and teens can use to help prepare for life behind the wheel. Visit http://drivesafe.mercuryinsurance.com to access tips, videos, quizzes and much more.

About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices. For more information visit www.mercuryinsurance.com or Facebook.com/MercuryInsurance and follow the company on Twitter.

About the Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks enter their 25th season in their 2017-18 National Hockey League campaign. The club was born in 1992 and played its first-ever game on Oct. 8, 1993 at Honda Center (then Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim). One of 31 NHL franchises located throughout the United States and Canada, the Ducks have played to over 90% capacity crowds in their history at the 17,174-seat Honda Center. On June 20, 2005, the Ducks franchise was purchased by Orange County residents Henry and Susan Samueli. By securing the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2007, the club also became the first team from California to win hockey's ultimate prize. The Ducks have reached the Conference Finals five times (2003, 2006, 2007, 2015 & 2017) and the Stanley Cup Final twice (2003 & 2007). The club clinched its fifth consecutive Pacific Division title and sixth in franchise history (2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017) last season. Anaheim has qualified for the playoffs ten times in the last 12 campaigns.