United Spinal Partners with NASCAR Driver
In an effort to promote safe motoring, as well as increase public awareness about spinal cord injury prevention, United Spinal Association recently partnered with Long Island’s Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified Division Driver Justin Bonsignore.
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Every 13 minutes, there is a death caused by a motor vehicle accident. There are approximately 3 million car-related injuries per year, 2 million permanent injuries, and 40,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. The U.S. Department of Transportation statistics indicate that accidents are generally related to irresponsible driving behavior. “Knowing that motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 44% of spinal cord injuries, engaging the Motorsports world with our initiative was a natural collaboration,” said Victor Calise, United Spinal director of Sports Marketing. He added, “Displaying our logo on Justin’s #28 car supports United Spinal’s efforts to get our message out to the public on the importance of safe driving.”
The 18 year-old Bonsignore, who is a senior at Sachem High School and the youngest driver in the NASCAR Modified Division at Riverhead, said he supports United Spinal’s goal of educating the public, especially teens, on spinal cord injury, including those related to motor vehicle accidents. Even as a professional driver, he stresses the importance of safety and advocates the use protective equipment such as a helmet, safety harness, and neck protector, all of which he uses during each race. Bonsignore cautions, “It is important to get the word out to younger people who don’t wear seatbelts and how this choice can drastically change their lives.”
Currently, automobile accidents are the number one killer of people ages 1 to 37. About 1 in 30 young drivers will be injured in an accident each year. Young drivers are four times more likely to die in car accidents and are much more prone to speed, drive recklessly, not wear their seat belts, and drink and drive than middle-aged drivers.
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Reckless and negligent driving
• Driving while intoxicated
• Inexperienced and irresponsible drivers
• Inattentiveness to the road and other vehicles (i.e., tuning the
radio, talking on a cell phone or to passengers, etc.)
Ways to Protect Yourself
• Always wear your seat belt
• Properly maintain your vehicle with routine tune-ups
• Be aware of road conditions
• Avoid driving if your intoxicated, tired, or on medication
• Take defensive driving classes
• Obey traffic laws and speed limits
About Justin Bonsignore
Although he is young, Bonsignore already has a vast amount of racing experience under his belt, including 17 National event wins, 11 poles, 38 top five finishes in just 71 career National starts––ending his Karting career with 5 straight feature wins and two championships in the same year, and nearly winning the Karting’s Triple Crown.
Bonsignore credits his family with inspiring him to succeed on and off the track. His father Tom and Uncles Bill and Frank, who have owned and operated the Bonsignore Kart Shoppe in Deer Park, Long Island, have over a decade experience working on all types of race cars and engines. “My dad and two uncles have always stressed the importance of doing good, staying focused, and becoming a winning driver,” he said. Justin Bonsignore Motorsports also recently partnered with Mike Power and Long Island Fiber Exchange (LIFE), a facilities-based New York State PSC certified telecommunications provider specializing in fiber optic based networks and services for schools, universities, hospitals and municipalities located in Bellport, Long Island. LIFE is Bonsignore’s primary sponsor for the 2006 NASCAR Modified Division Season.
Bonsignore’s goal is to attend college locally for 2 years and transfer to a school in North Carolina to pursue his dream of becoming a professional NASCAR driver.