Main Line Health Gets $45K Grant For Mock Crash Demonstrations

BRYN MAWR, PA — A sizable grant has been awarded to Main Line Health to support the Mock Crash and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s Cruisin' Smart demonstrations.

State Farm Insurance Company awarded a $45,000 grant to Main Line Health

Strath Haven High School kicked off the safe-driving season on Wednesday, April 3 with the first Mock Crash and Cruisin’ Smart program of 2019.

Through the State Farm grant, demonstrations will take place at area high schools through the end of May, which is also prom season – a time when drunk driving incidents may increase.

"For 12 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," said Donna Phillips, President of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. "We are incredibly grateful to State Farm for their philanthropy and for their continued dedication to 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 occurring."

The State Farm grant allows Main Line Health to offer Mock Crash and Cruisin’ Smart demonstrations at nine area high schools across Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties to raise the awareness among student audiences of the life-threatening dangers of impaired and distracted driving.

This year’s remaining demonstrations are scheduled to take place at the following schools:

• April 11 – Owen J. Roberts High School
• April 22 – Penncrest High School
• April 24 – Downingtown East High School
• April 29 – Harriton High School
• April 30 – Henderson High School
• May 2 – Sun Valley High School
• May 3 – Ridley High School
• May 22 – Garnet Valley High School

Each mock crash offers students a first-hand perspective of a car crash caused by an impaired and distracted student driver.

Actors, emergency medical services, police and fire companies bring the scene to life for students with crashed cars, stretchers, emergency equipment and the Jaws of Life to convey to young drivers and passengers that driving distracted or impaired can lead to horrendous—even fatal—outcomes.

"State Farm is proud to partner with Main Line Health in promoting safe driving by exemplifying the consequences of unsafe driving practices," said Dave Phillips, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm. “It is preventive 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 extends back to 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 the entire Main Line Health System in 2016.