Plymouth, Mass.-based King Collision Centers, along with Plymouth Police Department, Plymouth Public Schools and Commerce Insurance, awarded two local high school students with a free safe driving course through its community service partnership, the Plymouth Safe Driving Campaign.
Plymouth South High School sophomore Thomas Cipriano and Plymouth North High School junior Nicholas Tosi were recently selected as the winners of the Plymouth Safe Driving Campaign’s In Control drawing. As winners, each will be able to take In Control’s Crash Prevention Training course, ordinarily a $350 value, for free.
The drawing to win the In Control class was a bit different than a typical raffle. To enter the drawing, students had to sign an agreement with their parents on a code of conduct while driving and submit it to their school’s principal to be eligible.
“I heard about the contract and drawing in my advisory, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Cipriano, who is eligible for his permit next month.
Tosi learned about In Control drawing while attending the Social Host Liability Evening, a prerequisite for students to attend Plymouth North’s prom. At the suggestion of his mother, Tosi signed the contract and entered the drawing.
“I don’t want to do anything stupid out there,” said Tosi, who has had his license for three months. “The agreement has been a great reminder to stay focused on driving safer.”
In addition to not having to pay for the course, there are other benefits to the In Control Crash Prevention course. Most insurance companies offer a discount on auto insurance for drivers who have taken the course, and young drivers who take the In Control crash are more than 70 percent less likely to be in an automobile crash than young drivers who have not.
“Part of why we started the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign was to increase awareness, and if it prevented one kid from getting hurt in a crash, it would be worth it,” said Bruce King of King Collision Centers. “It’s nice to know that two young drivers will have the benefit of the In Control crash and hopefully become better drivers because of it.”
As part of the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign, students and parents interested in taking the In Control class can receive a 10 percent discount off the cost of the class by registering via the campaign’s website, www.plymouthsafedriving.org.
Another component of the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign has been the donation of a 2005 Mazda 6 by Commerce Insurance to the Technical Studies program at Plymouth South. Auto repair students have been fixing up the crashed vehicle and a drawing to win the car will take place on May 26. Tickets are $10 a piece and are available at both Plymouth South High School and at Plymouth North High School’s school stores. Students under the age of 18 must be licensed drivers in order to purchase a ticket.
In addition, tickets are also available at NAPA Manomet Auto Supply, 21 Robert J. Way in Plymouth, King Collision Centers, 48 Holman Road in Plymouth, and at South Side Cruise Night, to be held every Wednesday night in May at Plymouth South High School (May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26). The winner will be drawn on May 26 at the South Side Cruise Night at Plymouth South.
Proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will go back into SkillsUSA, the non-profit funding source for the technical studies program at both Plymouth North and Plymouth South High School.
More information:
For updates on latest events and activities related to the Plymouth Safe Driving program and additional safety information, please visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org.
