'Alive at 25' Expands into Lancaster and York Schools with Help from Continental Tire

Following six deaths in the last year, Lancaster schools to participate in 'Alive at 25'.

Fort Mill, SC - For the second straight year, Continental Tire the Americas has joined forces with the South Carolina National Safety Council (SCNSC) to sponsor the "Alive at 25" safe driving course. This year, the SCNSC has matched Continental Tire's $25,000 scholarship enabling over 1,000 local high school students to participate in the life-saving program free of charge. Following six tragic deaths within the Lancaster school district, the school systems elected to participate in the "Alive at 25" program. York Comprehensive has also opted to participate in the program as a preventative step. These two schools join the Fort Mill school district in making a difference in the lives of local youth. 

"This will help our students in a proactive way," said Dr. Vernon Prosser, superintendent, York County Schools. "The course emphasizes making good decisions and it's one of the best courses I've seen." 

"We're excited about bringing Alive at 25 to our district," said Gene Moore, superintendent, Lancaster County Schools. "We're impressed with the program's track record for helping students realize the dangers of risky behavior. We appreciate how supportive and helpful the Columbia Office of the National Safety Council has been as we've worked to get everything in place to require Alive at 25 for every student who drives to school and parks on our campuses." 

"Our thoughts are with those whose lives were lost in the last year," said Bill Caldwell, vice president marketing and sales, Continental Tire. "Supporting 'Alive at 25' is a great way for Continental Tire to give back to our local community. We're excited to include both the Lancaster and York school systems in this year's efforts and we sincerely hope our efforts will help prevent any more needless and tragic deaths. We believe our partnership with the SCNSC will help reduce fatalities and educate young drivers on the responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel."

The "Alive at 25" program will be held at Lancaster high school on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. York Comprehensive will hold the "Alive at 25" program on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. These sessions are by invitation only and are not open to the public. 

"Alive at 25" is a young driver intervention program that zeroes in on drivers between the ages of 15 and 24 - the group most likely to be involved in fatal collisions. "Alive at 25" is a survival course developed by the National Safety Council and is designed to prevent the number one killer of teens, automobile crashes. The course is taught by off duty Deputy Sheriffs, and Municipal Police Officers and is delivered in one 4 1/2 hour program which focuses on the behaviors and decision-making paradigms that young drivers and passengers display behind the wheel. 

"I want to commend Continental Tire the Americas for their generosity and dedication to the young people of Fort Mill," said Brooke Russell, executive director/chief operating officer of South Carolina National Safety Council. "The partnership with the South Carolina National Safety Council, Fort Mill Schools, York Comprehensive and Lancaster County Schools is one that will continue for a long time to come, but the impact Continental Tire will make with their donation will have a positive and immediate impact on the community and students for all the aforementioned schools." 

Russell continued, "More than 45,500 young adults, ages 15 - 24, have taken the 'Alive at 25' course through the South Carolina National Safety Council since February 2007. This is due, in part, to the support of Continental Tire the Americas. Continental Tire is a great partner of SCNSC because they are just as passionate about the cause of safe teen driving as we are. It's wonderful to be able to partner with an organization that is working toward the same very important goal - to reduce the number of teen fatalities due to car crashes."