Sheriff Cuellar Presented a $5,000 Check to Teens in the Driver Seat
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 2, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Maru de La Paz,
Laredo, Texas (Webb County) – Sheriff Martin Cuellar presented a check for $5,000 to the Teens in the Driver Seat Organization. The check was presented to assist the program with promoting safe teen driving practices. By the same token, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office will be assisting with the planning and funding of the upcoming 3rd Annual Teens in the Driver Seat 5K Run/Walk. The primary purpose of this event is to promote awareness and educate our youth of the dangers of unsafe teen driving.
The most common causes of teen driving crashes along with the top dangers are: Driving at night, Speeding and street racing, Alcohol and low seat belt use as well as Distractions, such as cell phones/texting and too many teen passengers.
The Teens in the Driver Seat run is to take place on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. at Historic St. Peter’s Plaza in downtown Laredo. Registration for all participants is already underway. Registration forms can be picked up at the VMT Magnet School located at 820 Main or by visiting http://webbcountytx.gov/Sheriff or http://vmt.elisd.org. The fee for early registration is $15, the day of the event registration will be $20, students and senior citizens registration fee is $10, and for the 1 Mile Run/Walk for children twelve years and under the registration fee is $5.
“We are anticipating that this year will be better than before. Therefore, we are encouraging all participants to sign up now to take advantage of the early registration fees.” said Martha Villarreal, VMT Director.
The 5K Run will include a 1-Mile Walk, and a Children’s Run to promote health awareness, safe teen driving, and responsible teen behavior in our community. The 5K Run and Walk is named after Mercurio Martinez, IV a local teen who lost his life in a traffic accident. Monies raised will go towards awarding scholarships to qualifying high school seniors who participate in the 5K Run. Scholarships will be awarded in memory of Mercurio Martinez, IV.
“More than 200 schools in Texas now have implemented Teens in the Driver Seat programs. This is an impressive growth and we are proud that the program is growing at the local level. I will continue to support the program and their initiatives.” Sheriff Martin Cuellar stated.
