Teen driving event aims to curb road fatalities | Arts & Culture

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - North Carolina had the second highest number of teen driver fatalities in the beginning of 2011, and now, a group called Street Safe is doing something to bring that number down.

The group joined forces with State Farm Insurance to host Celebrate My Drive at Independence Mall Saturday.

At the event, organizers let teens get behind the wheel and showed them what to do if their cars hydroplane. They also let the kids text and drive, allowing them feel how easy it is to lose control of the car.

“That controlled environment where they get to feel the difference between doing it right and doing it wrong really stays with them and helps them to think differently, and hopefully change their driving behaviors,” said Kim Shovlin, with Street Safe.

Similar events also took place in Raleigh and Charlotte with a total of about 250 teens participating in all three.

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