Fall-Winter 2008
Musician-Actress Kate Voegele
Plugs Teen Safe Driving Message
Kate Voegele, a recording artist and guest star ofTV's "One Tree Hill," has joined forces with the FordMotor Company Fund, the Illinois Department ofTransportation’s Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS),The Entertainment Industry's Voice for Road Safety(RADD) and The Allstate Foundation to encourageteens to drive safely. The goal is to continue thedramatic 61 percent drop in teen auto fatalities.
"The Driving Skills for Life program exemplifies acommitment to safety, not only by Ford Motor
Company, but by an entire community," said JimGraham, Community Relations Manager of FordMotor Company Fund. "We applaud the Illinoisofficials, Kate Voegele and teens around the statefor making teen safe driving a top priority – wehope other states follow their lead."
The popular artist will reinforce Ford's Driving Skillsfor Life (DSFL) teen safe driving messages. Thepartnership also is part of DSFL's broader strategyof engaging teens to develop safe driving campaignsthroughout the country.
Voegele, a spokesperson for RADD, appears in aseries of public service (PSA) announcements aboutsafe driving practices as well as a video promotingthe Ford Motor Company Fund's Driving Skills forLife program.
The 21-year-old Interscope Records singer/songwriteralso agreed to make a special guest appearanceat the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy's(IMSA) prom in May 2008 at Shedd Aquarium aftershe learned about 103.5 KISS-FM's "Show YourSchool Spirit Contest." IMSA was the winner ofKISS-FM's "Show Your School Spirit Contest."
"I know proms can really rock and I am glad to be apart of helping people like myself have an awesometime," Voegele said. "I am doing the PSA’s toencourage people my age to stay focused on theirfuture and to try to avoid distractions while drivingsuch as staying off your cell phone."
At the prom, Voegele recorded a special video PSAthat encourages teen drivers to learn more aboutFord Motor Company Fund's Driving Skills for Lifeprogram. In the video, which will appear on, Voegele encouragedteens to avoid distractions such as talking and textingon cell phones while driving. She also suggestedthey visit the Driving Skills for Life website.
According to the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes arethe leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds.92 teens have lost their lives on Illinois roadwaysthis year. It is a critical time to make teens aware ofthe safety responsibilities young drivers assumeevery time they get behind a wheel.
"We are pleased that Kate has joined the effort toeducate teens about safe driving during prom season,"said a spokesperson from IDOT, RADD, theAllstate Foundation and the Ford Motor CompanyFund. "It is an exciting time for adolescents and wewant it to be a great memory for everyone."
About the Sponsors:
The promotion is a collaborative effort among theIllinois Department of Transportation's Division ofTraffic Safety (IDOT), RADD, the Allstate Foundationand the Ford Motor Company Fund.
The Ford Motor Company Fund's Driving Skills forLife (DSFL) program teaches newly licensed teensthe necessary skills for safe driving beyond whatthey learn in standard driver education programs. Visitthe website at .
IDOT provides safe, cost-effective transportationfor Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life,promote economic prosperity and demonstraterespect for our environment.
RADD is an internationally recognizednon-profit organization thatempowers celebrities and mediapartners to create positiveattitudes about road safety.
Established in 1952, the Allstate Foundation is anindependent, charitable organization made possibleby subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Teendriving and empowering victims of domestic violencehave been priorities for the Foundation since 2005.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industryleader based in Dearborn, MI. manufactures ordistributes automobiles in 200 markets across sixcontinents. With about 260,000 employees andabout 100 plants worldwide, the company's coreand affiliated automotive brands include Ford,Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo andMazda. The company provides financial servicesthrough Ford Motor Credit Company. For moreinformation regarding Ford's products, please visit
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Article taken from:
media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=28242
TEEN DRIVING