Victoria Worcester, Reporter
@vworc_courant
March was Safe Driving Month and the NCHS staff has worked together relentlessly to encourage safe driving among students. Through posters, interactive demonstrations, and an assembly, the school administration and community have been working tirelessly to positively impact student driving.
The Parent Faculty Association (PFA), teamed up with the administration to bring students creative ways to learn about safe driving. “Our PFA wanted to get together a program for teenagers at NCHS, they focused on teaching the students on what they should be doing; driving, instead of being distracted by other things,” Principal William Egan said. “The primary focus is to make sure students are safe.”
Demonstrations were brought in by the Connecticut State Police in conjunction with the PFA. “We had the simulators brought in. The police also added an opportunity to use the impairment goggles where students would drive the golf cart so they can have a sense of what it’s like to be impaired,” PFA Co-Board Member, Wendy Pratt said.
NCHS Resource Officer Jason Kim gave an overview of the activities. Simulations included activities that showed what it would be like to drive under the influence, and what it can feel like when these actions turn into accidents.
Officer Kim stressed what could happen if one is drinking or driving, speeding, or texting and driving. “If mistakes are made, lives are on the line. You may face getting an infraction (traffic ticket), getting arrested, getting your license suspended, facing civil lawsuits, and may even face jail time,” he said. “Even if you are a juvenile (under the age of 18) you are treated as an adult when you are operating a motor vehicle.”
Officer Kim believes March is the ideal time for Safe Driving Month to take place. “Many of the activities for Safe Driving Month took place outside. We believed students would be more willing to participate if the weather was nice,” he said. “The warmer weather and longer periods of daylight can make driving more exciting and desirable for new drivers. This can lead to more risky driving behaviors such as speeding and not following the rules of the road.”
