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Plymouth safe driving

Safe driving by the numbers…Plymouth Safe Driving campaign applauds young drivers for improved safe driving statistics.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Over the past few years, the lay of the land has changed for young drivers—increased driver’s education requirements, stricter rules for new drivers (e.g. six months before being allowed to drive non-family members) and stiffer fines for speeding and other violations. The end result has been a dramatic decline in teen driving fatalities and traffic violations—a fact applauded by the Plymouth Safe Driving Campaign.

“We raised the bar for young drivers in Massachusetts and it’s encouraging that they have risen to the challenge,” said Bruce King, owner of King Collision Centers, who along with the Plymouth Public Schools, Plymouth Police Department and Commerce Insurance has sponsored the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign (www.plymouthsafedriving.org).

Since 2006, when the new laws when into effect, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles reports the number of speeding tickets issued new teen drivers has dropped by nearly 60 percent. Citations for seat-belt violations, passenger restrictions, and other offenses have fallen at a similar rate. Most importantly, the number of fatalities for drivers under 18 during that time has dropped 75 percent, including five out of the last six months ending without a fatal accident involving a driver under 18.

“The numbers don’t lie, the new laws and tougher requirements are working,” said Gary Maestas, superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools. “Yet even though we’re seeing tremendous improvement, reinforcing the safe driving message through vehicles like the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign is key to continuing this trend.”

The Plymouth Safe Driving campaign is a multi-pronged effort to promoting safe driving habits for Plymouth North and Plymouth South high schools. Part of the campaign included a student-parent contract in which young drivers sign an actual contract with their parents agreeing to safe driving practices. School students who turn in a signed contract to their principal at either Plymouth North or South high school were entered into a drawing for In Control’s Crash Prevention Training course (a $350 value).

Another component of the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign has been the donation of a 2005 Mazda 6 by Commerce Insurance to the Technical Studies program at Plymouth South. Auto repair students have been fixing up the crashed vehicle and a drawing to win the car will take place on May 26. Tickets are $10 a piece and are available at both Plymouth South High School and at Plymouth North High School’s school stores. Students under the age of 18 must be licensed drivers in order to purchase a ticket.

In addition, tickets are also available at NAPA Manomet Auto Supply, 21 Robert J. Way in Plymouth, King Collision Centers, 48 Holman Road in Plymouth, and at South Side Cruise Night, to be held every Wednesday night in May at Plymouth South High School (May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26). The winner will be drawn on May 26 at the South Side Cruise Night at Plymouth South.

Proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will go back into SkillsUSA, the non-profit funding source for the technical studies program at both Plymouth North and Plymouth South High School.

For updates on latest events and activities related to the Plymouth Safe Driving program and additional safety information, please visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.  That includes being part of Commerce Insurance’s CARES (Commerce Auto Express Repair Service) Shops, an elite program that includes approximately 120 collision shops across Massachusetts.

The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships, enabling dealerships to offer collision repair services on-site – similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA. For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005.

Safe driving by the numbers…Plymouth Safe Driving campaign applauds young drivers for improved safe driving statistics.Read More

The other side of safe driving…Fatal crash driver shares his story with Plymouth North students.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Ten years ago, Ethan Morgan was not much different than the classroom of students he addressed last week at Plymouth North High School. That is until he got behind the wheel of a car after a party. “Buzzed” but not drunk, he turned down offers from other partygoers to drive his car home. That decision would change his life and that of a Marshfield family forever. 

As part of the Plymouth Safe Driving program, Morgan shared his odyssey, which began with his involvement in a fatal crash that took the life of a Marshfield firefighter. His journey took him down the road of alcohol and substance abuse, incarceration and rehabilitation. Clean and sober,  Morgan’s efforts are now focused on motivating young people in school and in life.

 “When I was in school, I thought everybody had a few drinks and then drove home. The truth is there are far more people who don’t do that,” said Morgan. “An automobile is a very powerful machine that can become a weapon if you’re not responsible. I wasn’t and I can never make right what happened. I wouldn’t want anyone to have to live with that.”

It was a message not lost on the students in the room, most of whom are sophomores and just beginning to learn how to drive.

“Usually our advisory sessions are a little chatty, but you could have heard a pin drop while Ethan spoke,” said Andrea Norton, a guidance counselor at Plymouth North and the advisor to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). “The students were engrossed by Ethan’s story and hopefully it’s one they don’t forget as they become drivers and adults.”

Added Vice Principal Derek Thompson, “This is a message our students need to hear. We have a number of fun events in the spring, most notably prom. While these activities are supposed to be fun and memorable, that can change in a heartbeat if you’re not responsible. Ethan’s talk today really hammered that home.”

The Plymouth Safe Driving program is a multi-pronged approach to promoting safe driving habits for Plymouth North and Plymouth South high schools sponsored by Plymouth Public Schools, the Plymouth Police Department, Commerce Insurance and King Collision Centers. In addition to having speakers like Morgan speak to high school students, King developed a Web site, www.plymouthsafedriving.org, offering safe driving and a safe driving contract for young drivers and their parents. The contract acts as the young driver’s pledge to drive responsibly.

Plymouth high school students who turn in a signed contract to their principal at either Plymouth North or South high school will be entered into a drawing for In Control’s Crash Prevention Training course (a $350 value).  In addition to the winner, everyone who signs a contract and submits it to their respective principal is eligible to take the In Control Crash Prevention course at a 10 percent discount.

“Ethan’s story is one well worth hearing for any driver, young or old,” said Bruce King, owner of King Collision Centers. “With this campaign, if we can help just one kid become a better driver and avoid a serious accident, it’s well, well worth it.”

For updates on latest events and activities related to this program and additional safety information, please periodically visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org. To contact Ethan Morgan about speaking for your group, please e-mail him at ethan@thelaughingcamel.com or visit www.thelaughingcamel.com.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.  That includes being part of Commerce Insurance’s CARES (Commerce Auto Express Repair Service) Shops, an elite program that includes approximately 120 collision shops across Massachusetts.

The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships, enabling dealerships to offer collision repair services on-site – similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA. For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005

The other side of safe driving…Fatal crash driver shares his story with Plymouth North students.Read More

Driving in a winter wonderland…Safe driving tips for the winter elements for new drivers.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

It’s easy to get caught up in the childlike exuberance of the season’s first snow storm. For newer drivers who may not have driven in snow before that exuberance can lead to getting stuck snow banks, fender benders and worse. As part of its safe driving campaign for Plymouth high school students, King Collision Centers and its partners in the campaign—Commerce Insurance, the Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Public Schools–recently issued safe driving tips for winter on its Web site, www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

“Depending on the time of year you got your learner’s permit, there’s a good chance that many new drivers have not driven in snowy, inclement weather with a parent or instructor. That makes a big difference in how you approach navigating the roadways this time of year,” said Bruce King, owner of King Collision Centers. “But whether you’re a new driver or not, we all should be following these tips for safer winter driving.”

For starters, drivers should:

  • Clear all snow and ice from your windows to avoid any obstructed views. The hood and roof of your vehicle should also be cleared to prevent wind-blown snow from obstructing other drivers’ views.
  • Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you for stopping. Remember, the posted speed limits are set for dry pavements. So, if the driver ahead of you is going less than the posted speed limit, it’s for a good reason.
  • Brake carefully. In snowy or icy conditions it will take longer for you to come to a stop so start braking sooner. Do not slam on the brakes.
  • Be wary of bridge decks and exit ramps. Due to the different air exposure, bridge decks can often be more slippery than the regular roadway. Similarly, exit ramps typically do not get as much sand or salt as the main road and will probably be a bit more slippery. Proceed with caution.
  • Be even more wary of trucks. Trucks and semis are heavier than the standard auto and take longer to stop. It’s best to let the truck pull out ahead of you rather than cut them off.
  • Leave plenty of room for maintenance vehicles and look further ahead while driving than you usually do to help anticipate potential problems.

“The most important thing we want to get across to young drivers with this campaign is that speed kills, even more so during inclement weather,” said Gary Maestas, superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools. “By maintaining a cautious rate of speed and following these winter driving tips, all drivers can dramatically reduce the likelihood of an accident.”

For updates on latest events and activities related to the Plymouth Safe Driving program and additional safety information, please visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.  That includes being part of Commerce Insurance’s CARES (Commerce Auto Express Repair Service) Shops, an elite program that includes approximately 120 collision shops across Massachusetts.

The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships, enabling dealerships to offer collision repair services on-site – similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA.

For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005

Driving in a winter wonderland…Safe driving tips for the winter elements for new drivers.Read More

Making history by teaching safety…King Collision Centers’ involvement in Plymouth Safe Driving Campaign is one of a kind.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

As a catalyst in the current Plymouth Safe Driving campaign, it’s been King Collision Centers’ intent to teach safe driving habits to young drivers in Plymouth. Inadvertently, the Plymouth-based collision center has made history as perhaps the only collision center to initiate a safe driving campaign.

“Obviously, you never want anybody to get hurt. On the other hand, we do earn our living repairing automobiles. So it’s more than a bit unusual for a collision center to be a central figure in a safe driving campaign,” said Bruce King, owner of King Collision Centers. “Frankly, in all my years in this business, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of another collision center doing something quite like this.

The Plymouth Safe Driving program is a multi-pronged approach to promoting safe driving habits for Plymouth North and Plymouth South high schools. Working with Plymouth Public Schools, the Plymouth Police Department and Commerce Insurance, King developed a Web site, www.plymouthsafedriving.org, offering safe driving and a safe driving contract for young drivers and their parents. The contract acts as the young driver’s pledge to drive responsibly.

Plymouth high school students who turn in a signed contract to their principal at either Plymouth North or South high school will be entered into a drawing for In Control’s Crash Prevention Training course (a $350 value).  In addition to the winner, everyone who signs a contract and submits it to their respective principal is eligible to take the In Control Crash Prevention course at a 10 percent discount.

“The In Control training has a phenomenal record, reducing crashes involving new drivers by 70 percent,” said David Antocci, vice president of claims at Commerce Insurance. “If that’s not incentive enough, most insurance companies offer a discount on your auto policy for drivers young and old who complete the In Control training.”

As a reminder for young drivers to drive safely, the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign has and will continue to place two smashed cars at high traffic locations in town. Most recently, the two cars were at the Plymouth North-Plymouth South Thanksgiving Day football game. In addition, volunteers manned a booth and handed out safe driving tips and the student-parent driver contracts.

Over the winter months, students in Plymouth South High School’s Technical Studies program will repair one of the smashed vehicles and then sell it.

As for King, he’s comfortable making history with the Plymouth Safe Driving campaign, even if it’s potentially at the expense of getting business.

“The reality is that collision centers are never going to completely run out of business. With so many automobiles on the road, it’s just the law of averages,” said King. “With this campaign, if we can help just one kid become a better driver and avoid a serious accident, it’s well, well worth it.”

For updates on latest events and activities related to this program and additional safety information, please periodically visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.  That includes being part of Commerce Insurance’s CARES (Commerce Auto Express Repair Service) Shops, an elite program that includes approximately 120 collision shops across Massachusetts.

The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships, enabling dealerships to offer collision repair services on-site – similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA. For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005

 

Making history by teaching safety…King Collision Centers’ involvement in Plymouth Safe Driving Campaign is one of a kind.Read More