NJM Commemorates Centennial with "DNT TXT N DRV" Campaign
February 27, 2013Backs up commitment with $50k charity pledge
WEST TRENTON, NJ — In honor of its 100th anniversary, the state's largest auto insurer, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM), is dedicating its Centennial year to improving driver, passenger and pedestrian safety, starting with a "DNT TXT N DRV" (Don't Text and Drive) campaign.
During 2013, NJM is celebrating its 100th year of service to the Garden State. The Company was founded on June 7, 1913. The Company is urging the drivers of the 800,000 vehicles it insures, as well as all other motorists, to take an online pledge to do something it expects their own, safety conscious policyholders already do — refrain from reading or writing text messages while driving. For every pledge that is executed, NJM will donate $1 to one of five New Jersey-based charities, up to $50,000.
"NJM was founded in 1913 on the principle of safety in the workplace," said Bernie Flynn, President and CEO. "As we've evolved into New Jersey's largest insurer, that same foundational emphasis on safety applies to our roadways. Today, one of the greatest dangers facing our policyholders is distracted driving. For the safety of our loved ones, NJM urges all motorists to never read or write text messages while driving."
For every pledge during 2013, NJM will donate $1, up to a total of $50,000, to benefit equally five important New Jersey specific non-profit organizations: Make-A-Wish New Jersey; The Community Food Bank of New Jersey; Autism New Jersey; Special Olympics New Jersey; and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - NJ Metro Chapter.
NJM's campaign to collect pledges will be promoted by these non-profit organizations, by the 55 high schools throughout New Jersey participating in the "Champion Schools" driver safety program that is sponsored in part by NJM, and by NJM's 100-year partner, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, which will send the word to its 21,500 member companies and their more than 1 million employees.
Thirty-nine states, including New Jersey, prohibit text messaging while driving.
Nationally (in 2011), 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010. An additional 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 416,000 injured in 2010.
"The statistics are sobering," said Flynn. "Despite state laws, texting while driving is still pervasive, and law enforcement alone cannot stop it. NJM's campaign is an effort to do our part to increase awareness and help change our culture, so that drivers appreciate how important it is to pay attention to the road. The text can wait."
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company was incorporated by factory owners who needed workers' compensation insurance from a reliable, local, safety-oriented carrier. The Company still writes nearly all of its business in New Jersey. NJM has earned high marks in published surveys, particularly regarding customer and claims service in auto insurance.
NJM writes coverage directly for consumers without the expense of agents' commissions and has paid $5.0 billion in dividends to policyholders since 1918.
To be eligible to apply for NJM Workers' Compensation, Auto or Homeowners insurance, applicants must be a member company of the NJBIA or an employee of a member company. New Jersey State employees are also eligible to apply for Auto, Homeowners and Umbrella insurance.