State Farm offers assistance with teen driver safety effort BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer JACKSON - Police have received a $2,000 grant from the State Farm Insurance Company, which will be used to help improve the driving skills of township teenagers. "We applied for a State Farm grant for Safe Neighborhoods, which targets teenage drivers and the awareness of the dangers that are involved with young drivers," Jackson Police Officer John Pejoski said at the Oct. 23 Township Council meeting. "Unfortunately with the recent events in town, we just happened to apply for it and we got the grant." Pejoski was referring to several recent motor vehicle accidents involving inexperienced drivers that led to fatalities and injuries. The officer said the $2,000 grant will be used for education. "We're going to bring different programs into the schools," he said. "We also hope to gather some additional new lesson plans with that money. Or aim is to educate the kids in town regarding safe driving." There will be new booklets provided to students at Jackson Liberty High School and Jackson Memorial High School. The grant will furnish the two schools with two sets of booklets, "State Farm's Safety Tips for Teen Drivers" and "Driving Through the Eyes of Teens." "They will be given to students who will have driver's licenses and those who do have driver licenses," Pejoski said. "The booklets will also be available for parents at police headquarters." The booklets were developed as a part of State Farm's efforts to educate parents and teenagers about safe driving habits. Andy Weinstein, a State Farm agent in Jackson, presented the grant to the police department on behalf of the insurance company. Weinstein, a Jackson resident for 35 years, said most residents are aware of the tragic motor vehicle accidents that have occurred in the township. "In speaking with Officer Pejoski we discussed State Farm's Good Neighbor Foundation program," Weinstein said. "Today I am very honored to give Officer Pejoski a check for $2,000 to help the Jackson Police Department continue their proactive initiatives in getting the word out to teen drivers regarding safety and better driving techniques." Weinstein acknowledged Denise Brown, a State Farm public affairs specialist who delivered about 1,000 safety brochures which will be passed out at both high schools. Weinstein said State Farm will continue to work with the police department and determine what the company will be able to do to get the word out about driving safety. State Farm recently partnered with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in support of a congressional resolution which proclaimed the third week of October as National Teen Driver Safety Week. The week of Oct. 15-19 marked the first recognition of the event. "Every town should have individuals like Andy Weinstein," Mayor Mark Seda said. "He modestly said he was a part of what happened here in town, He's an agent for State Farm Insurance. He has been a very active member in our local soccer club and he always gives back to our community. I would just like to say thank you for supporting our police department and thank you so much for all of your help." For more information about the State Farm teen safety driving program visit www.betterteendriving.com.