Blythewood, SC (WACH)--For most high school students, getting a drivers license is an important accomplishment; and many students found out the dangers of driving distracted while also having fun.
Law enforcement agencies from around the Midlands along with sponsors hosted the inaugural Celebrate My Drive event at Blythewood High School Saturday.
The event gives teens and their parents a look at the dangers of being behind the wheel through demonstrations, workshops and presentations. Every teen that attended also entered a drawing to win a free car courtesy of Wray Mazda.
Vehicle accidents continue to be the top killer of teenagers in the Palmetto State. Last year, 164 young drivers between the ages of 15-24 died on South Carolina roads.
State Farm Insurance Agency Executive Yvonne Salisbury said she hopes teenagers remember to be safe each time they are behind the wheel.
"We want them to celebrate getting a drivers license. It's a right of passage and it is an exciting time for them. But we want them to do it safely. I'm not sure how much people understand how much money we put in to research to try to find safer highways, safer environments for our teen drivers."
Organizers say they plan on holding the successful event annually from now on.
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