SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Discovery Bay, chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, has been appointed to serve on the Impact Teen Drivers Board of Directors. Impact Teen Divers (ITD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of young drivers through education about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving.
“I had the privilege of working with Assemblymember Frazier on his legislation to protect teen drivers, and I am thrilled he is going to join our Board,” said Kelly K. Browning, ITD’s Executive Director. “His experience and guidance as chair of the Transportation Committee will be a valuable addition. I know our Board is excited to welcome him to our team.”
Impact Teen Drivers was founded in 2007 as a collaboration between the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP), California Casualty and the California Teachers Association (CTA). It grew out of an idea by former CAHP CEO Jon Hamm, in response to the high frequency of crashes involving teens to which CHP officers respond.
CHP officers consistently report the worst part of their job is coming onto a scene where a young person has died and subsequently having to ring a doorbell to tell parents their child needlessly lost his or her life.
ITD seeks to serve as a powerful intervention to reduce the number of times law enforcement has to ring a doorbell with grim news. Its mission is to provide awareness and education to teenagers, their parents and community members about all facets of responsible driving. ITD connects with teens on an emotional level to empower them to make meaningful behavioral changes in their driving habits.
“I am honored to be chosen to serve on Impact Teen Driver’s board,” said Frazier, who lost his 20-year-old daughter, Stephanie, to an auto accident in 2000, a tragedy that spurred him to increases his involvement in public service. “ITD has reached millions of teens in California to help them make better choices while driving and has been a strong advocate in support of legislation to make youth safer on our roads. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.”
ITD’s board of directors includes retired CHP Commissioner Spike Helmick, California Casualty CEO and Chairman Beau Brown, retired state schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell and former California Teachers Association Executive Director Carolyn Doggett.
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Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.
