New Jersey High School Students to Host 4th Annual Teen Safe Driving Showcase and Awards Luncheon
Students from 58 New Jersey high schools join together to spread the word about teen safe driving and crack down on distracted driving
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 4, 2014, students from 58 high schools throughout New Jersey will participate in the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) 4th Annual 'U Got Brains Champion Schools Program' Showcase & Awards Luncheon at iPlay America in Freehold, NJ. Student attendees will display their projects and be recognized for their school and community-based peer-to-peer teen safe driving campaigns.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012 more than 3,300 people were killed nationally and an estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. Since 2009, the Champion Schools Program has been committed to empowering students to take a positive approach in addressing the number one cause of death and disability among teens.
"Each year, we've been amazed at the effort and creativity on the part of the students and staff at the participating schools," states Barbara Geiger-Parker, BIANJ's President and CEO. "It's encouraging that so many schools are becoming a key component in the development of safe young drivers."
To see the list of this year's participating schools, visit: www.ugotbrains.com/champion-schools
The showcase will kick off with Lindsey Giannini, Co-founder of (PADD) People Against Distracted Driving and Miss Columbus Day 2014, as mistress of ceremonies. The keynote speaker of the event will be Steven Benvenisti, award winning attorney and motivational speaker. Benvenisti is also author of Spring Break: A True Story of Hope and Determination, which chronicles his dramatic full recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck as a pedestrian by a drunk driver.
The showcase will culminate with an awards presentation. The top two campaigns, selected by a panel of expert judges, are awarded the grand prize – a driving simulator donated by New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM).
"NJM has been a longtime supporter of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey and their efforts to reduce auto accidents," states Bernie Flynn, NJM's President and CEO. "We are very proud to be the Founding Sponsor of this program."
Additional sponsors of the program are New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, The Allstate Foundation, DriveSafer, iPlay America, State Farm, LifeSaver, Nikhil Badlani Foundation, NJ Teen Driving Safety Coalition, DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation, The Council on Brain Injury, AT&T, AAAClubs at New Jersey, and Volvo.
About BIANJ
Established in 1981, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit organization that services more than 10,000 individuals annually through its family support, advocacy, and education and prevention programs. Over the last 30 years, BIANJ has brought together people with brain injury, their families and friends, and concerned allied health professionals to improve the quality of life people experience after brain injury. For more information, please visit www.bianj.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jon Kinsella
732.745.0200
[email protected]
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140129/NY55429LOGO
SOURCE Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey
Share this article