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Safety on the Road: Program Educates Teens About Driving

By Jim Reed

WETM-TV recently reported on a Pennsylvania program that educates teens about their most dangerous activity: DRIVING.

Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 killer of teenagers. “Survival 101″ is a program offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to educate young people about the risks of the road.

According to the WETM story (pasted below), during the program students see photographs of car accidents and hear from a police officer about the consequences of risky behaviors, including driving while impaired, not wearing seat belts, and speeding.

Teens’ worst driving habits

“Survival 101″ shows teen drivers the sometimes horrific consequences of simple carelessness while on the road. It’s a “scared-straight” strategy, but if it works, it’s well worth it.

The Allstate Foundation conducted a survey of  teens age 15 to 17 in 2005. They found that the teens themselves reported:

• 56 percent said they use cell phones while driving

• 69 percent said that they speed to keep up with traffic

• 64 percent said they speed to go through a yellow light

• 47 percent said that passengers sometimes distract them

As a NY and PA personal injury attorney, I make my living handling car accident cases, but I wholeheartedly support any program that promotes safer driving.

In addition, a teen driving safety course doesn’t just improve the odds for young drivers. It makes the motorways safer for all drivers. Autoblog.com reported that a AAA study found that teen drivers were more likely to kill others in accidents than themselves. “Survival 101″ improves the odds for everyone.

You can read more about the “Survival 101″ program at the Buckle Up Pennsylvania website.

Thanks for reading,

Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

Survival 101

Reported by: Raegan Medgie
Last Update: 3/23 11:50 pm

(WETM 2009) CANTON - Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens. That’s why the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation conducts a state-wide program called “Survival 101″.

Students at Canton High School took part in the program Monday.

A Canton Police Officer came to the school and showed photographs of crashes that have occurred throughout the Keystone State.

By doing this, students will see what could happen if they don’t pay attention when behind the wheel.

“It drives home the point of safety, especially seat belts, not speeding, not using any type of substance that can impair driving.” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Michael Hess.

The goal of the program is to make teens aware of the importance of driver education.dr

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Full post as published by New York Injury Law Blog on April 01, 2009 (boomark / email).