NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate joined
U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-FL) in
Jupiter, Fla. today as he
announced his co-sponsorship of the Safe Teen and Novice Uniform
Protection (STANDUP) Act – H.R. 1515.
"We are proud to stand with Congressman West on this important
piece of legislation that will help save lives and helps create a
culture of safe driving for current and future generations," said
Bill Vainisi, senior vice president
and deputy general counsel, Allstate Insurance Company. "This is
truly a bipartisan issue that affects American families across the
country, and we urge leaders in Congress to join us in the fight to
enact federal uniform graduated driver licensing (GDL) standards
that empower states to establish stronger teen driving laws. This
can be done either by passing STANDUP as a stand-alone bill or by
supporting its inclusion in pending transportation reauthorization
bills before Congress."
The STANDUP Act creates minimum GDL standards for all young
drivers to protect them on America's highways and roads. GDL
programs allow new young drivers to gain experience under
supervised and less risky conditions, addressing several major
facets of the teen driving problem.
Underscoring the benefit this legislation has for communities
and families is a recent study conducted by the National Safety
Council on the financial and human impact of such laws. That report
indicates that if all states implemented comprehensive GDL laws, an
estimated 2,000 lives could be saved. Further, if all 50 states
were to enact these laws, it could generate savings of $13.6 billion per year. In Florida alone, 181 lives and more than
$1.2 billion could be saved.
Congressman West announced his support of the STANDUP Act today
at a teen driving event at Jupiter High School. Joined by teens,
law enforcement and victim family advocates, West expressed his
concern to strengthen teen driving laws in Florida and across the country.
"As the father of two teenage daughters, I am personally
concerned with the dangers of young people on the road," West
said. "The STANDUP Act will do exactly that- 'Stand Up' for
our children, by taking a bold approach to tightening up the laws
on teens and driving. I thank Allstate for being a leader in
the insurance industry and joining me in support of this
legislation. I encourage my colleagues across both sides of the
Congressional aisle to support the STANDUP Act."
More than 50 Members of Congress from both political parties
have signed on as co-sponsors of the STANDUP Act, further
emphasizing the need to pass this bipartisan legislation. Elements
of the bill have been included in the major federal highway funding
legislation currently before Congress, and Allstate continues to
work toward advancing the strongest national minimum GDL standards
possible.
"Most states have some form of GDL laws, but individual
standards vary from state to state. This patchwork system of
varying state teen driving laws fails to fully include all of the
proven elements of reliable behind-the-wheel training for young
drivers," said Vainisi. "Car crashes are the leading cause of death
among American teens, and we have a real opportunity to stop this
epidemic in its tracks with a national GDL law."
GDL laws allow novice and/or teen drivers to get on-the-road
driving experience gradually, and under lower-risk conditions. GDL
laws vary by state but the STANDUP Act has the following optimal
provisions:
- Three-phase licensing process before full licensure that
includes a learner's permit issued no earlier than age 16, an
intermediate stage, and full licensure at age 18;
- Ban on cell phone use and other mobile devices, including
texting while driving;
- Nighttime driving restrictions; and,
- Restrictions on driving with teen passengers.
Through Allstate's Save 11 Campaign, more than 177,000 Americans
have already added their voice to a growing chorus of citizens
urging Congress to pass this bill and that number continues to
grow. Visit facebook.com/save11 to learn how to contact your local
lawmakers and support the STANDUP Act.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the
"You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is
reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million
households insure what they have today and better prepare for
tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home,
life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies,
independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial
representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and
1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen
local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees,
agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit
organizations and important causes across the United States.
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company