The Transportation Improvement Association (TIA), State Farm, Michigan State Police, and county and local law enforcement joined forces with students at Dakota High School to announce a statewide distracted driving education and enforcement initiative today.

Dennis Kolar, the Managing Director of the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), has been named the chairman of the Transportation Improvement Association (TIA) Board of Directors.

Strive for a Safer Drive (S4SD) is a teen driving initiative aimed at reducing serious traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities among Michigan’s most inexperienced drivers – teens.  It is presented by Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).  All Michigan High Schools are eligible to apply.

The Transportation Improvement Association, through the support of State Farm, is again challenging Michigan high school students to create a public service announcement billboard to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.

As National Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to an end, Michigan motorists are being reminded to avoid distractions while driving by keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

In addition to saving lives and preventing injuries on our roadways, the Transportation Improvement Association (TIA) is committed to ensuring drone operators fly safely. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are now more registered drone operators in the United States than there are registered manned aircraft.

Jim Santilli, chief executive officer of the Transportation Improvement Association, and State Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) today announced distracted driving legislation they’ve designed with the goal of reducing fatalities, injuries, and traffic crashes in Michigan.

“Since its formation, TIA has become one of the leading traffic safety agencies in the country for collecting and analyzing traffic crash data.”

Alan Mulally, President and CEO

Ford Motor Company