Television Show Features Nationally Recognized, Award Winning Teen-Led IDOT Program Geared Towards Saving Lives

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig announced today that "The Global Learning Series," an education-focused television program distributed to public television, will feature Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Traffic Safety's "Operation Teen Safe Driving" program in the first of a series of segments called, "Understanding Traffic Safety."  The "Global Learning Series" is expected to feature officials from IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety, law enforcement, program participants including students from Lanphier High School and a student from a winning school.

The show will be distributed this winter/spring to public television stations and several cable television stations throughout the country and globally on both the web and U.S. Government Voice of America (VOA) Television.  "The Operation Teen Safe Driving" program will be featured on the program and will educate viewers about the fundamental necessities of safe driving; knowledge, experience and good decision-making.

Operation Teen Safe Driving is a statewide initiative spearheaded by the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety.  This lifesaving program is made possible by sponsorships from the Ford Motor Company Fund and The Allstate Foundation and enlists young people to teach safe driving skills to their peers.

In 2006, Illinois lost 151 teen lives in vehicle crashes.  In 2007, 155 teen lives were lost, and in 2008, the loss dramatically dropped to 93 teens, a 40 percent reduction.  Illinois attributes this reduction to the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety's "Operation Teen Safe Driving" program, the "Ford Motor Company Funds' Driving Skills for Life" program, The Allstate Foundation's "Keep the Drive" program and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's "Graduated Drivers Licensing Program."

"We are very proud of what the Operation Teen Safe Driving program has helped achieve," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.  "The program has truly exceeded our expectations and underscored what can happen with great partnerships and strong dedication.  We are humbled to be featured on this program and hope the exposure further inspires teens to make good choices on the roadways, so we can continue to work together to save lives."

"We applaud the state of Illinois, the Ford Motor Company Fund and The Allstate Foundation.   Their hard work has literally saved the lives of many young people and probably the lives of other drivers and passengers who might otherwise be involved in teen vehicle crashes.  The work seen here in Illinois is truly a global example of how lives can be saved through this type of cooperation and commitment," said John McGuire, Executive Producer of Programming for "The Global Learning Series.

"The Global Learning Series" is a long established and respected education-focused, issue-oriented and non-commercial programming, independently produced by GTS Education Inc. and distributed directly to public television stations throughout the United States and globally to VOA Television and on the worldwide web.  "The Global Learning Series" strictly follows the standards and practices of public television and is distributed freely to public television stations nationwide.  "The Global Learning Series" program is not affiliated with PBS.  For program information, go to info@thegloballearningseries.tv 

Program ideas or organizations that wish to be considered as either featured guests or experts for future programming on "The Global Green Series," please contact us for more information at
www.thegloballearningseries.tv

For more information about the Operation Teen Safe Driving program, visit our website at
www.teensafedrivingillinois.org