State Farm® Applauds Senate Passage of Transportation Legislation

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a statement today, State Farm commended the United States Senate for its passage of the surface transportation authorization bill, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.  The company said this legislation is a great step toward reducing car crashes, saving lives and minimizing injuries. 

"The leading cause of death among teenagers is car crashes, so we are pleased that the bill includes provisions establishing uniform graduated driver licensing standards and encouraging states to establish stronger teen driving laws," said David Beigie, Vice President of Public Affairs at State Farm. "In particular we praise Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for her persistence in stepping up efforts to keep young drivers safe behind the wheel."

State Farm has long been a proponent of education, research and legislation that helps to keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe.  Working with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia® on the Young Driver Research Initiative, and partners like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the National Youth Leadership Council, Governors Highways Safety Association, the country's leading auto insurer takes a comprehensive approach to teen safety that includes strong laws, enforcement and education.

"State Farm is committed to safer roadways," added David Beigie. "State Farm will work with Congress and the states to develop effective laws and enforcement strategies that will move toward elimination of the very serious problem of teen car crashes."

About State Farm®
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

SOURCE State Farm