Mitsubishi Motors USA Foundation today announced a $20,000 donation to Tri-County Operation Cool, a teen-focused program developed to increase seat belt usage through education and incentive awards.
“Nineteen high schools with approximately 10,000 students in DeWitt, McLean and Livingston counties participate in our program,” said Steven Price, President Tri-County Operation Cool. “Thanks to the support of Mitsubishi Motors, we have been able to educate Central Illinois teenagers on the importance of seat belt usage and driver safety.”
Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is a charter sponsor of Operation Cool, having been involved since the inception of the program in 1997. Each year, students participating in Tri-County Operation Cool sign a pledge to stay enrolled in school, wear their seat belt at all times and ask their passengers to do the same, and to not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“We are proud to be an integral part of a program that instills the message of safe driving for young adults,” said Don Swearingen, executive vice president, MMNA. “MMNA is committed to giving back to local community organizations and today’s donation reinforces our ongoing commitment to the Central Illinois community.”
The Tri-County Operation Cool program was developed and pioneered in 1997 by the Commander of Illinois State Police District 10 and Mitsubishi Motors after a sharp increase in teen deaths from traffic incidents involving drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts. Since its formation, the program has been credited with saving hundreds of teenage lives.
