Penncrest Hosts Mock Crash Event to Educate Teen Drivers

Teenage drivers are at risk on the road—there’s no question about it. Car crashes are the leading cause of death of 16 to 19 year olds, and crashes on the road, kill more teens than cancer, homicide and suicide combined. In the United States, teen driver and peer passenger deaths account for one-quarter of total teen deaths every year.

Throughout the month of May, State Farm, Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Rehab and a host of local and state emergency services personnel will be partnering with students from several local high schools to bring the consequences of poor teen driving decisions right to the school yard. This comprehensive community collaborative includes a rehearsed crash scene and scenario provided by the high school’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter that is enacted with the students, members of the Company, and interaction with the actual emergency responders in the community.

This includes real time extrication and rescue, police and family confrontation, and the result of injury and death. Following the crash, students are ushered to the school auditorium for a Bryn Mawr Rehab "Cruisin’ not Boozin’" presentation and conversation with actual crash victims, many of which have current and former ties to the host high schools.

The program, which began at , was crafted in 2009 by and and, is funded through a grant from .

"It is Riddle Hospital’s intent with this program to send the strongest message we can to young drivers and passengers about the outcomes when poor decisions are made about driving impaired or distracted as well as getting into a car with someone who is”, said Martha Grieco, communications and development coordinator at Riddle. “We hope by witnessing the mock crash event they will understand how valuable their lives are to everyone.”

Along with Penncrest's participation on May 4, Henderson High School in West Chester and Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills will also host a mock crash event.

This press release was provided by State Farm.