Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Announces Safe Driving Program for Pennsylvania Teens

11/20/96

Teens Who Buckle Up Got Sweet Rewards Independence Blue Cross and The Bucks
County Highway Safety Program Teamed Up To Launch New Driver Safety Program


WARRINGTON, Pa., Nov. 18 -- Mornings were made a little
sweeter this week for hundreds of Bucks County teenagers who arrived
at school buckled-up.

Today marked the beginning of an innovative, new driver safety
program, designed to positively reinforce teenagers who already use
their seat belts, and help teens who don't, recognize that not
buckling up can cost them or others their lives.

Volunteers handed out special litter bags filled with Tastykakes,
steering wheel cards with the message "Choose Booze ... you lose," and
"The Fatal Five" driving errors young drivers make, as well as key
chains and pens each containing similar safety messages.

Students from Quakertown Community High School, Central Bucks East
High School, Buckingham and Truman High School, Levittown
participated, along with school officials, local law enforcement
officers and other volunteers.

According to Robert H. Johns, executive director of the Bucks County
Highway Safety program, this effort is a positive way to drive home a
very serious safety message.

"Statistics show that teenage drivers are about five times more likely
to get into an accident than adult drivers, and there is no better way
to assure that they avoid potential problems than through intense
educational efforts like these," Johns said.

Johns added that teenagers need to drive cautiously, never feel over
confident, use a seat belt, drive at slower speeds and obviously never
drink and drive.

"Driving safely and especially teaching young people to always wear
their seat belts, are two of the important messages we hope to convey
to teens with this program," said G. Fred DiBona, Jr., president and
CEO of Independence Blue Cross.

"We hope to pilot this program in Bucks County, then eventually branch
out to spread this critical safety information to teenagers throughout
the Greater Philadelphia region.

Johns recommends that all teenage drivers understand "The Fatal Five,"
and recognize that their failure to wear safety belts is behind 80% of
the deaths that take place on Pennsylvania's highways every year.

The Fatal Five include: failing to yield; not adjusting to bad weather
and darkness; tailgating; losing self-control and driving under the
influence.

While it takes teenagers time to really learn how to handle a car and
the road, Johns said education and practicing good safety habits can
help to avoid problems in the future. And by positively reinforcing
those behaviors that do promote good driving habits, teenagers can
become role models for others who can learn from them that driving
smart can never start too early.

Independence Blue Cross, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, is one of
the largest Blue Cross Plans in the U.S. serving more than 2.2 million
members in the five county Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

The Bucks County Highway Safety program brings the message of highway
safety to audiences of all ages in the Bucks County area. For more
information, or to bring safety programs to schools or other
organizations call 215-491-9260.