Saturday, September 22, 2007
GREENVILLE, Pa. — A $1,940 grant from Erie Insurance’s Lookin’ Out program will enable Greenville High School students to continue to spread the word about safe driving among their peers.
Lookin’ Out is different from other safe-driving programs because it is rooted in a student-driven approach of positive peer influence.
Teens create a series of events and activities addressing risk factors such as lack of seat-belt use, speeding and other reckless behavior, driving under the influence and distractions such as loud music and cell phone use.
To engage all students, the Greenville Lookin’ Out committee established the theme “Lookin’ Out For Each Other” and has planned a number of activities throughout the school year, including seat-belt checks in student and faculty parking lots, a visit from the Lookin’ Out Safety Bug, a mock crash and more.
“Car crashes are the top killer of U.S. teens,” said Erie Insurance agent Steve Bittel of the Bittel and Co. Insurance Agency, which is partnering with Greenville to implement the program.
“In fact, teen drivers are involved in twice as many crashes as other drivers.”
Since its 2001 inception, Lookin’ Out has been launched in more than 70 high schools and awarded more than $250,000 in grants. This marks Greenville’s fourth year participating in the program.