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Simulator hopes to help make teen driving safer |
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Tuesday, 25 September 2012 15:41 |
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South Dakota ranks last among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for safe teen driving statistics. That's according to US News and World Report, which based its finding on data from the US Department of Transportation and the Census Bureau.
The Freshman Impact Program here in South Dakota is looking to change that by showing freshmen at area schools the consequences of their decisions. Black Hills FOX reporter Darren Leeds has the story. The howling sound of ambulance sirens through the air indicates that someone needs help. Fortunately today that was not the case. The sight of police cars, ambulances, and injured teenagers was all part of a very realistic skit to show freshmen at Rapid City Central High School what can happen when they get behind the wheel. Liz Hamburg with Partnership Rapid City says, "South Dakota has a terrible record for teen driving safety. We're hoping that as they learn to drive they realize the importance of the decisions they're making and the importance of being safe and careful drivers out on the road." Trooper Kelly Stern with the South Dakota Highway Patrol says it's best to ingrain this sight into their brains before they get behind the wheel of a car.He says the younger students are more easily influenced. Stern says, "They seem to be a little more receptive to ideas and easier to convince on making good choices as well just because of their age. They're easier to influence into good habits that way." And the trooper hopes that the graphic images really hit home for these students and that they get a real understanding of their responsibility and the consequences of their choices because he says unsafe teen driving happens very frequently. Stern says, "It happens all the time. More than people think. I think a lot of folks already realize how big of an issue it is. Especially with the texting; the texting thing is really easy to spot." And that's why Stern says he supports laws that ban texting while driving. Trooper Stern says, "Definitely, I really do. I've almost been hit several times on traffic stops from someone that was texting. So yeah, I believe we should be doing something about it." The Freshman Impact Program will be held at several other schools throughout the year in order to improve the rank of teen driving safety in South Dakota and make sure this sight does not become a reality. Darren Leeds Black Hills FOX News. |
