From left to right: Row one: Bill Stevens, vice president and claims manager, Erie Insurance Murrysville Branch; George Prokopik, Prokopik Insurance Agency; Aubrey McGuire, Leslie Rudzinski, Melissa Renna, Rebecca Kotcher, Helena Carter, claims supervisor, Erie Insurance Murrysville Branch. Row two: Kevin Hanlon, Mike Wallace, Kyle Simmons, Phil Dern, Colleen Prokopik, Plum High School family and consumer science teacher and Lookin’ Out faculty advisor.

Thanks to a $2,000 grant from Erie Insurance and its Lookin’ Out program, students from Plum High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. will spread the word about safe driving among their peers.

“Car crashes are the top killer of U.S. teens,” said Erie Insurance agent George Prokopik of the Prokopik Insurance Agency, who is partnering with the students at Plum to implement the program. “In fact, teen drivers are involved in twice as many crashes as other drivers.”

Lookin’ Out is different from other safe driving programs, as it is rooted in student-driven approach of positive peer influence. Through Lookin’ Out, teens create a series of events and activities addressing risk factors such as lack of seatbelt use, speeding and other reckless behavior, driving under the influence and distractions such as loud music and cell phone use.

The Plum Lookin’ Out committee is kicking off the program by hosting a “White Out” day on Wednesday, Nov. 14 when all students are encouraged to wear white to raise awareness for safe driving and making good decisions. Students wearing white will have the opportunity to register to win prizes.

In addition, the group has planned a number of other activities throughout the school year that will be funded by this grant, including:

• Seatbelt checks in student parking lots;
• A mock crash to demonstrate the potential consequences of risky driving;
• “Key to My Heart” Valentine program to allow students to send safe driving Valentines to their friends; and,
• A visit from the Lookin’ Out Safety Bug and more.

“The Lookin’ Out program is really making a difference in the schools,” Prokopik added. “And the students at Plum are to be commended for their proactive efforts.”

The student committee is being supervised by George’s wife, Colleen Prokopik, Plum High School family and consumer science teacher.

Since its 2001 inception, Lookin’ Out has been launched in more than 75 high schools and awarded more than $275,000 in grants. This marks Plum’s first year participating in the program and one of the first Pittsburgh schools to receive a Lookin’ Out grant this year. Other area high schools that have received grants this academic year include Ambridge, Fort Cherry and Keystone Oaks.