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Uploaded: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 4:32 PM
Updated: Sunday, October 14, 2012, 7:07 PM
Area teens learn the dangers of distracted driving
Time2Drive debuts at Dougherty Valley High
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by Jessica Lipsky
Drivers may turn a deaf ear to public service announcements and ads about texting while driving or driving under the influence but later this month, San Ramon Valley teens will get to experience the perils of distracted driving firsthand.
Allied Insurance and local agent Steven Hom will sponsor Time2Drive, a free interactive teen driving safety event, at Dougherty Valley High School on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths, and Hom set out to change those statistics for area teens.
"I've always felt strongly about education and one of the things I wanted to educate people on is the dangers of texting and drinking while driving," Hom said.
Distracted drivers were involved in approximately 330,000 accidents last year, Hom noted. Those texting while driving are eight times more likely to be involved in an accident while those driving under the influence are four times as likely. Time2Drive is the first interactive workshop of its kind in the state and Hom expects several hundred students to participate.
Students and parents will get a clear idea of just how impaired districted drivers are by donning "fatal vision goggles" -- goggles that show a variety of blood alcohol levels -- and driving in a car simulator while texting. These scenes will be projected on a large screen for other attendees to watch.
San Ramon Police and Highway Patrol officers will speak about the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as conduct field sobriety tests. Hom said Fire District officials will be on hand to teach CPR -- an important skill in the event of an accident or DUI.
Time2Drive is open to students at all four SRVUSD high schools with the intention of making the San Ramon Valley a safer place with more informed drivers.
No registration is necessary and residents are invited to arrive at any time; there will be speakers at 11 a.m. and noon. For more information, call Steven Hom at 806-9300.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Derek, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 5:58 pm Don't want to be overly cynical, but if you really want to show them the danger and the results, take them to the morgue.
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Posted by Mom of Teenagers, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Oct 15, 2012 at 8:25 am I think that this "Time2Drive" event is a great starting point for kids to attend (especially, before they start driving).
It would be great for kids to hear from other kids (speakers at event?) who have been impacted by drivers who drank and drove, as studies show that teenagers are influenced more by peers their peers than their parents at this point in their lives...
In any event, my family will attend this event. Thank you Steven Hom for producing this for the community!
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Posted by JRM, a member of the Vista Grande Elementary School community, on Oct 17, 2012 at 10:12 am A very worthwhile and important effort, now let's focus increasing enforcement on ADULTS talking on their cellphones while buzzing through downtown. A policeman could station themselves along Railroad Avenue, or El Cerro, or Diablo Road, or Green Valley Road and see many Moms in SUVs talking away distractedly while driving. Parents need to set a good example for their children in this important safety issue.
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Posted by Julia, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Oct 17, 2012 at 11:35 am Dear JMR...you are absolutely correct.
Here in Alamo up and down Stone Valley Road it's the same. Cell phone use is heavy duty, also if the local cop's want to bring their quota up and collect 2Kor 3K per day (yes per day), they should just open their eye's. I think cell phone tickets go for $250 to $275...per.
Julia Pardini from Alamo
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