Caroline Cioffi, Reporter
@cciofficourant
As students drove onto campus the week of March 12th, they were met with large signs displaying a sort of driving checklist: “Ready to drive?” “No illegal passengers?” “Promise to obey the speed limits?”. Beyond the signs, a car was positioned on the lawn. The car was badly damaged and it was clear that the car was involved in an accident. On the side of the car, a sign warned students about the risks of texting while driving.
Each year, the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) designates March ‘Safe Driving Month’ and puts on a variety of events and opportunities for students to learn about the importance of being safe while driving.
On Monday, March 12th, parents and members of the PFA set up a table in the cafeteria giving students the opportunity to sign a banner declaring that they would not drive with illegal passengers. The banner read “I co-MINT to drive without illegal passengers”, a play on words with the breath mints students who signed the banner were encouraged to take.
The PFA also hosted a roll-over simulator right outside of the front lobby. The simulator, which was set up by the Connecticut State Police, allowed students to experience first-hand what happens when a car flips over during an accident. Furthermore, students were taught about the heightened danger that results when a car rolls over. According to the United States Department of Transportation, while only 3% of all car accidents involve a rollover, nearly 20% of car-accident fatalities are the result of the car turning over.
On Tuesday, March 13th, the PFA organized two simulators that allowed students to experience driving while distracted and while impaired. The first simulator, located in the lobby, allowed students to use a steering wheel to direct a video-game-like image of a car. Soon after starting down the road, the simulation required the participant to have a conversation via text while still steering the car. The second simulator allowed students to experience what it is like to drive while under the influence of alcohol via a video game, creating a similar effect.
In the past years, the PFA has brought in a variety of speakers to discuss safe driving with students. This year, Chris Sandy presented to the Junior and Senior classes. Sandy is a coach, author, mentor, and motivational speaker who specializes in alcohol awareness. At the age of 22, Sandy attended a party where he reports drinking hard liquor. On his way back from the party, Sandy crashed into Nellie King and her husband William. The accident was fatal for the elderly couple and resulted in a 30-year sentence for which Sandy spent 9 ½ years in prison. Since his release in 2009, Sandy has traveled to over 40 states to share the message that he delivered to the high school audience.
On the same day, the “Save A Life Tour” organization presented to the Freshmen and Sophomores. Save A Life Tour is an international organization dedicated to distracted driving awareness. As described on the “Save A Life Tour” website, the organization “brings home the shocking reality of the dangerous practice of distracted driving–as it is the cause for many accidents and fatalities worldwide.” Though most of these Freshman and Sophomore students are not yet able to drive, the presentation aimed to expose them to the realities of distracted driving in the form of real people’s lives and experiences.
To finish off the week, on Friday, March 23rd, the PFA set up a table encouraging students to sign a banner declaring, “I DONUT text and drive”. In accordance with the sign, these students were given donuts as a reward for their commitment.
