Area schools are participating in the Teen Safe Driver Pledge program sponsored by American Family Insurance.

Steve Brannan, superintendent at Garrison Public Schools, said his school received a banner that will be hung in the gymnasium during winter sports, and a flier will be part of game programs. Kids will be encouraged to go online to American Family's Web site and take the "safe driver pledge." If they take it with their parents they will be eligible to be entered in a drawing for prizes such as Nintendo Wiis.

The pledge is an online driver safety agreement between parents and teenage drivers that establishes safe driving expectations. People can log onto the site at (www.teensafedriver.com/pledge).

By participating in the program, the schools earn an automatic cash prize from the program sponsor and can earn large prizes depending on the percentage of students who participate. Each school will receive a check for at least $900 at a basketball game this season, presented at a game by the local American Family Insurance agent. Participating schools can also earn $25,000, $10,000, or $5,000 if they are among the top three schools based on the percentage of driving age students who take the pledge. Individual participants can qualify for prize drawings, depending on the school's overall ranking.

Branan said the program's goal is to increase seat belt usage to 96 percent among students and reduce risky driving.

Like other schools in the area, Garrison High School has offered programs that give students information about avoiding drunk driving, the importance of wearing seat belts and the dangers of alcohol and tobacco usage. Garrison has a closed campus during the lunch hour to try to prevent teens from driving all at once and minimize accidents.

"We're never doing enough," said Brannan, who wants to do more. Car accidents are the biggest killer of teenagers, he said.

"We certainly have had our share of some fender benders and some tragedies in our area," said Brannan, noting that teenagers who died in recent accidents in the area were not wearing seat belts.

Most schools in the area have programs that address alcohol and tobacco use and the importance of buckling up, avoiding drunk driving and other health-related topics.

The other area schools participating in the American Family Insurance Teen Safe Driver Pledge program are Des Lacs-Burlington, Dunseith, Glenburn, Surrey, Standing Rock in Fort Yates, Turtle Mountain in Belcourt and Williston High School.