Basic Basics Understanding Car Crashes 101

WARWICK, R.I., Nov. 1 -- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That basic law of physics becomes a life and death situation as teenagers learn to drive. To help students connect theory with reality, MetLife Auto & Home is making the program "Understanding Car Crashes: It's Basic Physics" available free to high schools. It covers basic physics concepts such as Newton's Law, inertia, momentum, and conservation as they relate to a vehicle in motion -- the teen's automobile.

"Over 7,000 teens lose their lives on America's roadways each year and we're confident that 'Understanding Car Crashes: It's Basic Physics' will help strengthen students' knowledge in the classroom and on the road," said Cathy Rein, president and CEO of MetLife Auto & Home.

"Understanding Car Crashes: It's Basic Physics," which includes a video and teacher/student guide, is available free to high schools by visiting a local MetLife Auto & Home representative or calling 1-800-638-5433 (MET-LIFE).

Also available is a parent guide, "Teaching Your Teen to Drive: Without Driving Each Other Crazy," which makes an excellent companion during parent- supervised drives often required by graduated licensing, and a video, "Young Drivers: The High Risk Years."

In its continuing commitment to promote auto safety to recently licensed teen drivers, MetLife Auto & Home has implemented a "Teens on the Road to Safety" program. The company's teenage policyholders who enroll in the program are awarded a $50 check each year that they drive with no accidents, claims, or violations. In addition, the company offers a $100 U.S. savings bond for teens who log 20 drives with a parent or guardian in the co-pilot seat. "Teens on the Road to Safety" is now available in twenty-two states.

MetLife has a long tradition of improving the quality of education. The company has helped foster excellence in education by sponsoring the National Principal of the Year Award for the past decade and by presenting the teacher's voice to policymakers and the public through its annual Metropolitan Life Survey of the American Teacher. Metropolitan Life Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, sponsors such programs as National Reading Celebration by Reading Is Fundamental(R), The Teacher's Network's National Teacher Policy Institute, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's Institute on Culturally Responsive Practice to help teachers serve minority students effectively, as well as several youth violence prevention and higher education programs. MetLife Auto & Home is upholding this tradition by offering this educational auto safety program to high schools.