Isabel Lawrence and Emily Brand
Editors-in-Chief
March has been designated as Safe Driving month at NCHS to promote an end to distracted driving. The Parent Faculty Association (PFA) has worked to bring a variety of demonstrations and simulations to the high school in order for students to gain an understanding of how distracted driving affects lives.
In order to promote Safe Driving month, reminders of the dangers of distracted driving have been present throughout NCHS. To begin the month, a blinking highway sign was placed at the entrance of the high school flashing the messages, “March is Safe Driving month at NCHS,” “One call could wreck it all,” and “Just hang up and drive.” This sign will move from the high school driveway to the corner of Farm Road and South Avenue, then to the intersection at 106 and Farm Road. Additional messages were also present inside the school, with posters provided by Lewis School of Driving which continued with the theme of refraining from distracted driving.
Following, on Tues., Mar. 11, AC Autobody delivered a wrecked car to the high school, which was placed in the middle of the parking island in the front of the school as a constant reminder of the repercussions of distracted driving.
The next day, Mar. 12, Jacy Good shared her story about how distracted driving changed her life with upperclassmen at NCHS. After losing both of her parents on her college graduation night to a crash caused by distracted driving, and going through months of extensive therapy and medical treatment, Jacy has dedicated her life to educating people on the dangers of distracted driving. That night, Jacy gave another presentation which was open to the New Canaan community in hopes of reaching a wider audience.
To encourage students to join the movement to put an end to distracted driving, Student Advocates teamed up with the PFA to start a pledge on Fri., Mar. 14. After signing the pledge, students received stop sign shaped magnets that say “STOP TEXTING” and have the NCHS logo. These magnets are meant to serve as constant physical reminders for students, and the community, to see everytime they drive.
Additionally, students will be able to experience what it is like to be in an actual car accident with the arrival of the seat belt convincer, which students can ride during lunch periods from Weds., Mar. 19 through Fri., Mar. 21. The convincer is meant to emphasize the dangerous implications of distracted driving, as well as the importance of proper seat belt use.
To round out Safe Driving month, the following week around Mar. 28 will be the obstacle course, in which students will be able to navigate a course while wearing “foggles” to simulate how alcohol and other distractions impair normal functions, such as driving a car.
