NEWS BRIEF
Pinching Insurance Pennies Can Help Consumers Tighten Their Belts in Bad Economy
July 31, 2008 — It’s estimated that most consumers could save more than 20% on insurance if they took simple steps such as raising deductibles, comparison shopping and taking advantage of discounts. More...
Rocky Mountain Insurance Information
NEWS
6565 South Dayton St. #2400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Serving Colorado, New Mexico, Utah & Wyoming
Contact: Carole Walker, Executive Director
(303) 790-0216 or 1-800-355-9524
Release Date: Immediately
Topic: Traffic Safety
WRECKED CAR FROM A CRASH THAT KILLED THREE CHATFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL NOW CARRY LIFE-SAVING MESSAGE.
June 22, 2004- The Colorado State Patrol and the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association were joined today by the families of three teenagers killed in a crash near Chatfield High School to announce that the car from that deadly accident will now be traveling the state as an educational exhibit.
On February 28, 2003, Caitlyn Craig-Mcleod, Brian Ellsworth and Michael Heykoop were among eight teenagers who piled into the 2000 Chevy Impala. Despite pleas to slow down, the 16-year old driver was speeding at 80 miles-per-hour in a 30 mile-per-hour zone when she lost control and spun head-on into oncoming traffic. The Impala collided with a mini-van and caused the van to hit another car. Their families' lives have been forever changed by the choices that were made that day.
Three teenagers in the Impala died on impact and the other five were seriously injured-seven were not wearing seatbelts. Two young children and three adults in the other vehicles were also hurt. The 16-year old driver was charged and sentenced. She also suffers from a permanent brain injury. As part of the driver's sentencing agreement, the car was donated to the Safe Choices Program by Allstate Insurance. State Farm Insurance also helped fund the program through a $5,000 traffic safety grant.
"Too many of these teenagers aren't surviving their first year behind the wheel," says Colorado State Patrol Chief, Col. Mark Trostel. "As law enforcement officers and traffic safety advocates, we need to keep sending these kinds of strong messages that one bad decision, such as speeding or not wearing a seatbelt, can be the last decision they get to make." Chief Trostel also expressed the CSP's support for new provisions in Colorado 's Graduated Drivers Licensing Law that take effect on July 1, 2004. The new rules include additional drivers education requirements for 15 year-olds applying for a learner's permit and increases the minimum permit time to one year before they can apply for a license.
"We all make a series of simple choices every time we get into a car without always considering the profound impact that it can have on our own lives and those of our passengers," says Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. "Teenagers need to realize that these are life and death decisions that can set off a domino effect that ends in tragedy."
This is the fourth vehicle to travel statewide as part of the Safe Choices Program. The cars are towed free-of-charge to schools and traffic safety events around Colorado .
This successful educational effort is made possible by the generous donations of insurance companies and Klode Salvage. "In the insurance industry we all too often just deal with the final outcome, says Kelly Campbell, Public Affairs Specialist for State Farm Insurance. "State Farm is committed to trying to prevent these deadly accidents from ever happening in the first place." "At Allstate we understand that that we have a commitment to the community that goes well beyond paying claims after the accident, says Tom Gay of Allstate Insurance. "The only way to truly make a difference and save lives over the long-term is to invest in education and prevention."
For more information on the Safe Choices Program or to reserve a car exhibit log on to www.rmiia.org .
###
Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association is a non-profit consumer information organization. Affiliated with the Insurance Information Institute, RMIIA has been serving consumers and the media since 1952.
How Medical Bills are Paid After an Auto Accident
When you buy auto insurance you need to think about what actually happens when you're in an accident and need to use it...
Updated:
February 28, 2007 1:52 PM
© Copyright Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association
7951 E. Maplewood Avenue, Suite 130 • Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 USA
(303) 790-0216 or Toll Free (800) 355-9524
Legal notice, Disclaimer & Terms of Use