Allstate Applauds U.S. Rep. Allen West For Support Of National Graduated Driver Licensing Legislation

NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate joined U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-FL) in Jupiter, Fla. today as he announced his co-sponsorship of the Safe Teen and Novice Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act – H.R. 1515.

"We are proud to stand with Congressman West on this important piece of legislation that will help save lives and helps create a culture of safe driving for current and future generations," said Bill Vainisi, senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Allstate Insurance Company. "This is truly a bipartisan issue that affects American families across the country, and we urge leaders in Congress to join us in the fight to enact federal uniform graduated driver licensing (GDL) standards that empower states to establish stronger teen driving laws. This can be done either by passing STANDUP as a stand-alone bill or by supporting its inclusion in pending transportation reauthorization bills before Congress."

The STANDUP Act creates minimum GDL standards for all young drivers to protect them on America's highways and roads. GDL programs allow new young drivers to gain experience under supervised and less risky conditions, addressing several major facets of the teen driving problem.

Underscoring the benefit this legislation has for communities and families is a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council on the financial and human impact of such laws. That report indicates that if all states implemented comprehensive GDL laws, an estimated 2,000 lives could be saved. Further, if all 50 states were to enact these laws, it could generate savings of $13.6 billion per year. In Florida alone, 181 lives and more than $1.2 billion could be saved.

Congressman West announced his support of the STANDUP Act today at a teen driving event at Jupiter High School. Joined by teens, law enforcement and victim family advocates, West expressed his concern to strengthen teen driving laws in Florida and across the country.

"As the father of two teenage daughters, I am personally concerned with the dangers of young people on the road," West said. "The STANDUP Act will do exactly that- 'Stand Up' for our children, by taking a bold approach to tightening up the laws on teens and driving. I thank Allstate for being a leader in the insurance industry and joining me in support of this legislation. I encourage my colleagues across both sides of the Congressional aisle to support the STANDUP Act."

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