Heritage Toyota Supports Turn Off Texting Program for High School Drivers

Heritage Toyota is supporting a statewide young driver highway safety program with the use and maintenance of a Toyota truck. The Youth Safety Council of Vermont presents the Turn Off Texting workshop in high schools across the state, giving young driving students a safe first-hand experience of the dangers of driving while distracted. The program uses a trailer; this sponsorship of a 2018 Toyota Tundra Certified Used Vehicle pickup truck will make it possible for the 2019 program season.

The Turn Off Texting demonstration raises awareness about the dangers of distracted driving by putting students behind the wheel of a golf cart to navigate a course of cones while texting. It’s an effective experience for participants, and the demonstration is provided free of charge in Vermont through a grant from the Vermont Office of Highway Safety, Behavioral Safety Unit and support from generous sponsors like Heritage Toyota, and AT&T. Turn Off Texting was created by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles in 2009 and has been presented by the Youth Safety Council of Vermont since 2011.

Heritage Toyota, based in South Burlington, is committed to supporting highway safety initiatives. The ‘H-Team’  produced several video public service announcements during a campus-wide safety fair at Mt. Abraham Union High School in 2017. The Youth Safety Council of Vermont worked with Mt. Abe to create a how-to resource for other schools that includes the Heritage-produced videos,  www.yscvt.org/safetyfairs/guide/.

“The sponsorship highlights how positive-minded Vermonters are when facing the challenge of fostering safe attitudes among young drivers. Heritage Toyota’s collaborative spirit and willingness to invest in the wellbeing of young Vermonters is evident in their support of this program,” says James Lockridge, Executive Director of the Youth Safety Council of Vermont. “From Franklin County to Bennington County, Heritage Toyota will help us foster a culture of safety with each of Vermont’s newest generation of drivers.”

Ryan Denecker, General Manger of Heritage Toyota, says, “The work that the Youth Safety Council of Vermont does is invaluable. Creating awareness for the young people of Vermont can either happen with a real life tragedy, or through proactive efforts with an organization such as YSCVT. Heritage is grateful for the opportunity to assist in this mission, and support such an important campaign. I am proud to partner with Jim and his team to successfully create awareness for the YSCVT mission. Keeping our kids, and others safe on the road is our joint goal, and one that is important to everyone here at Heritage Toyota.”

About the Youth Safety Council of Vermont: The YSCVT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing teen car crashes and making positive changes in young driver safety culture. Contact James Lockridge, director@yscvt.org, (802) 881-9050, www.yscvt.org

About Heritage Toyota: Heritage Toyota, home of the H-Team, has been serving the Vermont community for 25 years, and now employs over 100 people at their Shelburne Road location. Working with many community partners and non-profits to highlight the great things happening in our own neighborhoods, Heritage Toyota is proud to support community causes such as road safety, animal welfare, human rights, child development, and the fight against hunger and poverty. Known for sales and full service of the Toyota brand, they are committed to creating the best quality and most transparent customer experiences for each customer, every time. For more information, contact Bethany Sargent, Marketing Manager at bsargent@heritagevt.com or (802) 865-8128, or visit heritagetoyotacars.com.

Image at top: James Lockridge, YSCVT Executive Director, is handed keys to the 2018 Toyota Tundra by Michael Thomson, Sales and Leasing Consultant. Photo by Tyler Bradley, Videographer, Heritage Automotive Group.