Safety Education News from DOT

A City of Safer Teen Drivers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Issues like speeding, distractions, impairment and lack of experience are major factors in this statistic. Here in New York City, approximately ten teens are involved in traffic crashes each day. To address this concern, DOT’s Safety Education developed a unique program using theatre to explore traffic safety.

NYC DOT and Family Life Theatre

For more than twenty years, Safety Education has partnered with Family Life Theatre to bring interactive, traffic safety performances to high schools throughout New York City. In addition to these professional performances, a residency program gives students the opportunity to be writers, directors and actors. Now in its third year, the YES Theatre Residency program continues training students to create their own traffic safety messages and present them to audiences of their peers.

This year’s residency was conducted at five schools and began with NYCDOT-led workshops on traffic safety. Students then worked on skill building, scene creation and had rehearsals facilitated by professional actors from Family Life Theatre. The program culminated with several community performances addressing the impact of family members and friends on decision making, driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or prescription medication, the importance of safety belts, distractions by passengers, the risk of texting while driving and pedestrian awareness.

Passenger Safety Checklist

Use this checklist, courtesy of the New York State Department of Health, to start a conversation with teens about safe driver and passenger habits. All passengers, regardless of age and experience, should consider the answers before accepting a ride with someone.

• Has this person had a driver’s license for less than six months?
• Has the driver ever had a traffic ticket or been in a crash?
• Does the driver use a cell phone or play loud music while driving?
• Does the driver speed, follow other cars too closely, or drive in other reckless ways?
• Is the driver under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?
• Does the driver try to impress others through their driving?
• Does the driver and or his/her passengers ride unbuckled?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, is it worth the risk?

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