Did you know? Each day, at least 100 Americans are injured in distracted driver accidents. Did you also know that more than 90% of crashes are caused by human error, including the use of cell phones while driving? Unfortunately, these are the alarming realities we face on the road every day. That’s why during the month of April, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is recognizing Distracted Driving Awareness Month and joining the nationwide effort to bring awareness to driver safety.

When I think about teens getting behind the wheel, I can’t help but recall the day I received my driver’s license. I was excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time – and I couldn’t wait to get on the road. Like many anxious teens who look forward to this milestone, I didn’t realize the magnitude of the responsibility I had as a driver, to assure the safety of not only myself, but also my passengers and even pedestrians. In fact, I was in an accident just 30 days after I received my driver’s license.

That’s why it is so very important to recognize the dangers of the road and uphold our duty to keep our Club teens safe. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is proud to partner with The UPS Foundation for the last 10 years to educate teens on safe driving through the UPS Road Code Program. Since its inception, more than 48,000 teens from around the world have graduated from the program that instills safe driving habits.

Currently UPS Road Code is being taught in 217 Boys & Girls Clubs with more than 125 trained UPS employees serving as volunteer instructors. UPS volunteers work with Club teens through interactive classroom-based instructions derived from trainings that UPS drivers go through, as well as time “behind the wheel” on a virtual driving simulator. These volunteers include UPS’s Circle of Honor drivers who have driven for 25 years or more without an avoidable auto accident. Collectively, Circle of Honor drivers have logged 14 billion miles of safe driving.

To celebrate this milestone in our partnership, we are having a multi-city celebration to promote safe driving called SAFE FEST 2019. The kick-off event will be held on June 20th in Atlanta, GA at Centennial Olympic Park from 11am to 3pm. To learn more about the UPS Road Code program and partnership, visit BGCA.org/RoadCode.

* National Safety Council