DOT Safety Education News

This year, DOT Safety Education has again partnered with Family Life Theatre to run the Teen Theater Residency Program. The program trains students as writers, directors and actors and allows them to share their own messages on traffic safety with their peers.

The residency was conducted at six high schools throughout New York City. The program consisted of DOT-led safety workshops, skill building and scene creation sessions, and culminated with performances for the community.

Students developed characters, and then used theater to explore why people go against their better judgment as drivers, passengers or pedestrians. The teens were charged with presenting key facts to their audiences and showing what makes people take risky decisions, such as getting in the car with an impaired driver, agreeing to a drag race or texting behind the wheel.

With school almost out, we turn our thoughts to carefree summer days, vacations and road trips. While we’re visiting family or friends out of town, heading to the mountains for camping trips, or packing a cooler and umbrella for the beach, teenagers may be having their first experiences of independent travel. Unfortunately, according to AAA, this is the most dangerous time of year on roadways for teens. The most fatal crashes involving teens occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Here in New York City, approximately ten teens are involved in traffic incidents each day.

Parents and other adult role models play a key role in keeping summer a fun, safe time for teens. Here are some tips for caregivers, courtesy of AAA:

• Restrict driving and eliminate trips without purpose.
• Become an effective driving coach.
• Limit the number of teen passengers and your teen’s time as a passenger.
• Restrict night driving.
• Establish a parent-teen driving agreement.

DOT is always trying to improve how we spread the word about safety.  You can help by taking our reader survey. Your answers will be used to pick topics for this newsletter and reach more interested readers.