Through a program sponsored by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and funded by Ford Driving Skills for Life, Sachem Central School District has been awarded a $100,000 driver safety grant.
Elements of the award-wining teen driving program, developed collaboratively by Ford Motor Company Fund and GHSA, will be incorporated into initiatives implemented by the highway safety offices in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, and North Dakota.
The New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) will partner with Sachem to host a battle of the belts competition for its two high schools. More than one-third of the unrestrained front seat occupants killed or injured in the County in 2010-2012 were 16 to 24 years of age. Battle of the belts is a fast-moving competition where teams see who can buckle up the fastest.
Teams will compete for the “Buckle Up Cup” at a community awareness event. Other activities will be conducted during the event to educate attendees about seat belt use and the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. GTSC will use a portion of its grant funds for ongoing development of a standardized driver education curriculum for use by all New York schools.
Since its creation in 2003, Ford DSFL has partnered with nearly every GHSA member state on a wide variety of teen driving programs and activities.
“Providing learning opportunities that are not only instructive, but also engaging is more likely to compel teens to become safe, responsible drivers,” said GHSA Chairman Kendell Poole. “We thank the Ford Driving Skills for Life team for continuing to partner with the states on this important effort.”