Teen driving 
program recognized

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – A teenage driver safety program run by the Illinois Department of Transportation has been recognized for using peer programming to try to reduce the number of teen driving-related deaths.

The state’s Operation Teen Safe Driving program was honored Thursday by the nonprofit Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Under the program, Illinois teens were asked to develop efforts at their schools to foster safe driving.

Illinois Department of Transportation traffic safety director Michael Stout says the teen driving program has “helped significantly” with the state’s mission to reduce fatalities.