JohnDavid Howard of Perry, Georgia, literally drove away with the title of America’s Safest Teen Driver 2007 in the Safe America Foundation teen driving contest, SafeTeen America Driving Challenge held in Roswell, Georgia on December 15. The contest was the first for what is planned to be an annual event.
Howard bested 20 other teens from across the U.S. in the three-phase final competition which tested each teens’ driving knowledge, behind-the-wheel skills and safety behavior to take the title of America's Safest Teen Driver 2007.
In addition to the title, he received a $5,000 check for finishing first.
Sponsored by CARMAX, contestants for the competition were selected as Safe America personnel traveled across the U.S. during late summer and early fall testing teens in six metropolitan areas to select regional winners. Regional winners were selected through a three-step process as well - an online safety exam, and on-location skills test and driving knowledge test.
Winners in each area were then eligible to compete in the final driving challenge.
The search for the 2008 Safest Teen Driver will begin on May 17 when Safe America will host its annual Teen Driving Academy at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga.
To compete in the challenge, teens age 15 to 17, must first take the online safety exam through Safe America’s Teen Driving Web site – skidzz.com. Those who successfully complete the exam are then eligible to participate in the skills testing portion which will be conducted at CarMax locations in cities to be announced later or at other Safe America teen driving events.
To quality for the title, competing teens must have a valid state driver’s license or learner’s permit by the November 2008 competition date.
“We are proud to be a part of this outstanding program that is working to make a difference in teen driving safety,” said Donna Wassel, president of The CarMax Foundation. The CarMax Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to the Safe America Foundation to support the organization’s SafeTeen America program.
“About 5,000 teens die each year in car crashes involving teen drivers,” says Len Pagano, President of the Safe America Foundation. “That’s almost 14 each and every day. It’s the number one cause of teen deaths.
“To reduce that terrible number, we must change the teen driving paradigm, so that teens see themselves as capable of being the best behind the wheel – not merely acceptable. That’s the idea behind the SafeTeen Driving Challenge,” Pagano explains.
For additional information about the contest visit skidzz.com.

The 21 teens who participated in the SafeTeen America Driving Challenge
pictured with contest officials before the drive-off began.

To see additional photos of the days event CLICK HERE.