State Farm Grants $100,000 for Teen Safe Driving Programs

March 31, 2025—State Farm awards $100,000 to the National Safety Council Southeastern Chapter to support teen safe driving awareness in South Carolina and Georgia communities.

April 1 begins Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a four-week awareness campaign from the National Safety Council. Every 1.6 hours a South Carolina teen driver crashes behind the wheel, according to the 2022 Traffic Collision Fact Book. SCNSC is working to end this epidemic in our communities through innovative educational programs like Alive at 25 and the Distracted Driving Simulator.

Alive at 25 bridges the gap between the rules of the road that teens learn in driver’s education courses and the behaviors and skills they need to be responsible behind the wheel. Off-duty law enforcement officers and first responders facilitate the program. Our instructors are passionate about keeping young drivers safe. Instructors are selected based on their personal experiences with fatal collisions—as well as their ability to communicate effectively with teens and create open and meaningful discussions.

"This was a really great class and it made me think about the impact of my driving decisions, not just on me but on others." –Emily Fontana, 2024 Alive at 25 Participant

“Protecting and educating young drivers is a significant focus for State Farm,” said State Farm Vice President-Agency Kelli Taylor. “Almost 60% of teen crashes are caused by distracted driving, and we want to end this epidemic. State Farm is proud to support the Safety Council and their educational programs, and we look forward to continuing our partnership during Distracted Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year.”

State Farm’s grant will provide scholarships for students to complete the course, train additional law enforcement instructors, and expand the program into new South Carolina and Georgia high schools.

“State Farm’s generous grant, and their active engagement in our communities, is vital for the growth and expansion of Alive at 25 across the Southeast,” said Todd Buehrig, President and CEO of SCNSC. “The first year of driving is the most dangerous time in a young person’s life, and programs like Alive at 25 are helping decrease teen crash statistics and saving lives. We are deeply grateful for State Farm’s support.”

To learn more about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving, and download FREE educational resources, visit www.scnsc.org/ddam. Connect with us on social media by using #justdrive or follow us on Facebook @scnsc, Instagram @nscsouth, LinkedIn @scnsc