To help continue its effort to raise awareness of the hazards of impaired and distracted driving, Main Line Health has received a $45,000 grant from the State Farm Insurance Company, continuing their 10 year long partnership.

“State Farm is proud to partner with Main Line Health in promoting safe driving by exemplifying the consequences of unsafe driving practices,” said Dwayne Redd, State Farm’s Community Field Specialist. “It is preventative programs such as these that help to make the roads of the Delaware Valley a safer place to drive.”

A key part of this initiative is the Mock Crash and Cruisin Smart demonstration programs. This year’s driving safe program will start with a mock crash at Strath Haven High School on Wednesday, March 30th and will go on to be held in nine high schools in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

The first mock crash demonstration was done by Riddle Hospital back in 2007, and has now to spread to the entire Main Line Health System helped on further by this year’s grant. Each mock crash brings the scene to life by using preps and help of actors, emergency medical services, police and fire companies, which vividly demonstrate the possible negative outcomes of not making a smart choice.

The program will also take place at Villa Maria High School with juniors and seniors from Devon Prep on April 7th, Downingtown East High School on April 13th, Penncrest High School on April 27th, Ridley High School on May 11th, Garnet Valley High School on May 25th and Henderson High School on June 1st.

“With prom and graduation season swiftly approaching, we are proud to use this grant to educate young drivers in our region about the extreme danger of distracted and impaired driving,” said Donna Phillips, the President of the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. “This grant will help deliver an impactful experience that we hope will encourage healthy habits and decision making for teen drivers, ultimately preventing avoidable tragedies from taking place.”

Read previous VISTA Today coverage of Main Line Health here.