ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 2, 2009 – AAA Western and Central New York is pleased to announce a new partnership with the East Irondequoit School District to offer driver education to novice drivers in Irondequoit and surrounding areas. AAA will facilitate its innovative Licensed to Learn curriculum at East Irondequoit High School starting Wednesday, April 29th. The program will provide teens with up-to-date instruction and video technology in the classroom that coincides with in-car driving lessons to reinforce the educational objectives of the program.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens, claiming more than 6,000 15- to 20-year-olds each year. Many of these deadly crashes are due to immaturity and lack of driving experience and safety knowledge; factors that can be addressed by formal driver education.

“Driver education is crucial to the development of safe driving habits for novice drivers,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “AAA recognizes that driving is a lifetime skill that needs to be consistently nurtured over time, and we’re pleased to provide a reliable foundation for young drivers through the Licensed to Learn program.”

Students will gain a sense of real world driving situations in a low-risk setting while enrolled in the program. “We understand the challenges teen drivers face,” said Mike Formanowicz, Manager of AAA Driver Programs. “Teen driver training benefits new drivers and all those who share the road.”

Driver education classes will be held at East Irondequoit High School beginning April 29, 2009 and are open to students in the area, regardless of their school district. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, April 28, 2009. For more information or to register, contact East Irondequoit High School’s Community Education Director, Edwin Fleche, at (585) 339-1470.

AAA Western and Central New York also provides its Licensed to Learn driver education program to the West Irondequoit and Hilton School Districts. Private driving lessons are also available. For more information on AAA’s Licensed to Learn program, call (800) 836-CLUB (2582), ext. 3504, or visit www.aaadriverprograms.com.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.