National 'Safe Driving Challenge' Puts the Brakes on Distracted Driving

NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate's Safe Driving Challenge is on a cross-country tour this summer to give Americans a life-saving lesson on the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of passenger safety. Driver distraction contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes and 80 percent of all crashes happen within three seconds of driver distraction. Teens, their family and friends in 23 cities will be challenged to navigate through a professional, closed course while texting, talking on the phone and dealing with rowdy riders without veering off path or hitting obstacles.

The Safe Driving Challenge is the latest program from Allstate to end distracted driving and raise awareness about the Safe Teen and Novice Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act which will help new drivers gain experience under supervised and less risky conditions.

"Programs like Allstate's Safe Driving Challenge help elevate the national conversation on traffic safety, educate Americans about the dangers of risky driving behaviors and prepare our youngest drivers as they get behind the wheel," says Joan Walker, executive vice president of corporate relations at Allstate. "The driving conversation often starts at home, but parents can't always be with their teen on the road. That's why Allstate supports the STANDUP Act which will help eliminate distractions and gradually introduce our most inexperienced drivers to a safer driving experience."

A recent Allstate Foundation survey found that 74 percent of teens support a comprehensive GDL law that includes an age 16 licensure start, nighttime and passenger restrictions, and cell phone and texting bans until the age of 18 – the same provisions found in the STANDUP Act. National evaluations have found that GDL can reduce up to 40 percent of crashes for 16 and 17 year-old drivers.

Allstate's Safe Driving Challenge will visit 23 cities in 2011, including:

• June 16 - Tampa, Fla.
• June 20 - Atlanta, Ga.
• June 23 – Philadelphia, Pa.
• June 27 – Harrisburg, Pa.
• July 6 – Roanoke, Va.
• July 8 – Baltimore, Md.
• July 12 – Long Island, N.Y.
• July 14 – Charlotte, N.C.
• July 18 - Indianapolis, Ind. 
• July 21 - Springfield, Ill. 
• July 26 - Minneapolis, Minn.
• July 29 - Omaha, Neb. 
• Aug. 2 - Memphis, Tenn. 
• Aug. 4 - Pensacola, Fla. 
• Aug. 9 - New Orleans, La.
• Aug. 16 - Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Aug. 19 - Denver, Colo.
• Aug. 24 – Fresno, Cal. 
• Aug. 26 – San Francisco, Cal.
• Aug. 30 - Anchorage, Alaska
• Sept. 7 – Dallas, Texas  
• Sept. 9 – Houston, Texas
• Sept. 15 – Seattle, Wash.

To track the Safe Driving Challenge and see action footage from the course and photos of participants, visit facebook.com/save11. While there, check out information and resources, learn how to contact local lawmakers and invite family and friends to take action in support of STANDUP.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE The Allstate Corporation