Main Line Health recently accepted a $45,000 grant from State Farm Insurance Co. in support of demonstrations aimed at raising teen awareness about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, according to a press release

The grant allows Main Line Health to offer the Mock Crash and Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Cruisin’ Smart demonstrations at 10 area high schools in Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties.

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Demonstrations have been taking place at area high schools during May, to coincide with prom season — a time when drunk driving incidents may increase, according to a press release. West Chester East High School was the first to offer the demonstration this year; a demonstration May 29 at Penncrest High School in Middletown Township, Delaware County, will be the final presentation.

“For 11 years now, Main Line Health and State Farm have proudly partnered to present these exceptionally moving demonstrations at local high schools in an effort to raise awareness of the hazards of impaired and distracted driving,” Donna Phillips, president of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, said in the release. “We are incredibly grateful to State Farm for their philanthropy and for their genuine interest in saving the lives of thousands of students in our region. This grant will help deliver an impactful experience that we hope will encourage healthy habits and decision making for teen drivers, ultimately preventing avoidable tragedies from taking place.”

Each mock crash offers students a first-hand perspective of a car crash, caused by an impaired and distracted student driver. The demonstrations feature actors, emergency medical services, police and fire companies. They bring the scene to life with crashed cars, stretchers, equipment and the Jaws of Life to convey to young drivers and passengers what can happen when they drive distracted or impaired.

“State Farm is proud to partner with Main Line Health in promoting safe driving by exemplifying the consequences of unsafe driving practices,” Dave Phillips, senior public affairs specialist, State Farm said in the release. “It is preventative programs such as these that help to make the roads of the Delaware Valley a safer place for everyone.”

The partnership between State Farm and Main Line Health began in 2007, when the first mock crash demonstration was presented by Riddle Hospital at Penncrest High School. Since then, the grant was expanded to include Paoli Hospital in 2010, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in 2014, and last year was extended to the entire Main Line Health System.

Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system that serves portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. At its core are Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital; Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; and Main Line Health Homecare & Hospice, a home health service. Main Line Health also consists of Main Line HealthCare and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. Five outpatient health centers located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton and Newtown Square Main Line Health are also part of the system.

For more information visit mainlinehealth.org.

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