Media
IDOT/NASCAR Partnership
IDOT/DTS partnered with NASCAR and the Chicagoland Speedway to promote safe driving for the fifth straight year during the NASCAR race weekend, September 15-18. The strategic partnership promotes the Buckle Up America and the Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaigns to boost safety and encourage positive motorist behavior. 
“We are truly excited to partner with NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway again this year,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “This productive relationship and popular racing venue has helped us deliver a positive message and dramatically impact the driving behavior of thousands of race fans within the heartland of America. IDOT’s strategic partnership with NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway has undoubtedly helped save lives across Illinois.”
Illinois was the first state to formally pilot such a program with NASCAR, an initiative that provides valuable fan outreach components. Again this year, fans were invited to sign the Buckle Up America pledge; “I Pledge to BUCKLE UP, Every Trip, Every Time and that all passengers in my vehicle will be properly restrained at all times.” Adult NASCAR fans will also have the opportunity to sign the Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk pledge, which includes agreeing to be or to always have a sober designated driver. Fans who took the pledges at the race were entered into random prize drawings. 
IDOT/DTS had traffic safety outreach locations in Champions Park, in the Midway, on the main concourse and in the KidsZone where fans signed pledges and learned about child passenger safety.
“NASCAR is proud to join with Chicagoland Speedway in supporting IDOT’s traffic safety and responsible consumption efforts” said Marcus Jadotte, vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The ongoing partnership with IDOT and Chicagoland Speedway is a terrific example of how our private/public partnership continues to deliver positive messages throughout the communities where we race.”
“Chicagoland Speedway continues our commitment to supporting the IDOT traffic safety outreach program,” said Scott Paddock, president of Chicagoland Speedway. “As we welcome race fans to our state-of-the-art facility this weekend for all the excitement around the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, it is important to remind people about safe driving and buckling up each time you get into your car.”
IDOT/DTS invited racing teams, drivers and corporate sponsors to join the efforts and support the two safety initiatives by offering prizes and benefits for fans who pledge, and by helping carry these traffic safety messages.
Several NASCAR drivers have supported the Buckle Up America Challenge program, including: Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Reed Sorenson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Travis Kvapil, Stanton Barrett, Johnny Benson, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell and Cale Gale, along with a wide variety of musicians and entertainers.
~By Patty Ambrose, Media Communication Liaison
SAFE DRIVING MEDIA MESSAGES
Fans of NASCAR and the St. Louis Cardinals had a new reason to stop by the IDOT/DTS tent during this year’s Illinois State Fair. Replacing the ‘baseball dugout’ background for souvenir photos was NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s M&M show car. Visiting the IDOT/DTS tent on August 13, was former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Danny Cox, the current manager of the Springfield Sliders. Cox had a constant line of fans seeking autographs.
One of the highlights at the fair each year is the kickoff of the Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program for the current school year. This year, IDOT/DTS was joined by representatives from the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois State Police and corporate sponsors to announce the fifth year of the program. Illinois continues to lead the nation in this peer-led safe driving initiative. 
“We know our OTSD program is making a difference in the lives of Illinois teens as seen by the 45 percent reduction in teen fatalities over the past four years,” stated IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider. “This peer-led program is successful because the teens themselves are educating their peers about the hazards of irresponsible driving behavior. Whether it’s texting, speed, distraction or impaired driving, they are hitting on the messages that resonate with one another.”
This life-saving, innovative grant program is augmented by crucial sponsorships from the Ford Motor Company Fund and The Allstate Foundation and enlists young people to teach safe driving skills to their peers.
“The Ford Motor Company Fund is pleased to enter into our fifth year of commitment to this life-saving teen safe driving program,” said Jim Vella, President of Ford Fund and Community Services, Ford Motor Company. “Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens in America, and Operation Teen Safe Driving continues our ongoing commitment to safety.” 
The Ford Motor Company Fund and community services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. For over 60 years, the Ford Motor Company Fund has supported initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences and Ford Motor Company Fund’s Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative.
“The Allstate Foundation is honored to continue to serve as a leading partner in the combined effort to eliminate distracted driving and save teen lives on Illinois roadways,” said Bill McGrath, Allstate Insurance Regional Sales Leader and father of teen drivers. “With teens heading back to school, it’s the perfect time to remind them and their parents about the safety responsibilities young drivers assume every time they get behind the wheel.”
“I am pleased and encouraged that the number of teen crash fatalities has dropped significantly since my Teen Driver Safety Task Force issued recommendations that led to the strengthening of Illinois’ graduated driver licensing (GDL) program,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “Since the stronger GDL program took effect in 2008, teen driving deaths have nearly been cut in half. Entering its fifth year, the Operation Teen Safe Driving program will continue to draw even more attention to the issue of teen driving safety by utilizing the creativity of teens to develop effective safe driving messages for their peers.”
“Teen drivers who are educated and informed, develop safe and responsible driving habits as adults and that is a safety goal OTSD is already achieving,” said ISP Col Robert Haley. “Illinois State Police encourage teen drivers to be vigilant as they continue to learn and develop defensive driving skills that will ultimately save lives,” he added.
Rounding out state fair appearances was Illinois State Police Lieutenant Tim Good who brought his motorcycle and talked with visitors about motorcycle safety. The kids in particular always enjoy getting close up to the police motorcycles and troopers in their uniforms. Toby Tire from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office visited during School Bus Safety day. Completing the themed days were Bicycle/Pedestrian, Distracted Driving/ Speed, Motorcycle Safety, Motor Carrier Safety, Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection days.
Visitors to the IDOT/DTS tent were able to access the Traffic Safety website to find detailed information on safety programs, play the driving labyrinth and talk with IDOT/DTS staff about different safety programs.
As IDOT/DTS moves forward into the winter media season, several opportunities will be explored. Among these is the idea of holding Thanksgiving press events at cemeteries. More on this in the winter issue.
~By Patty Ambrose, Media Communication Liaison
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