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The rain failed to deter the safe driving event in front of Big Lots parking on Thursday, October 17th. “Above The Influence Day 2013” presented by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and United Way’s Youth Council sought to teach teenagers the negative results of driving while impaired. Whether it be drugs, multi tasking, or drunk driving or a combination, the lesson learned was how dangerous and life threatening it could be.
Students from Rutherford County Schools participated in driving through a pattern of traffic cones laid out in the parking lot. Golf carts were used for the student to drive the course. The students were first giving a talk on the dangers of driving while under the influence. The influence included multi tasking which was emphasized in particular due to the fact that almost everyone has a cell phone. They talk, text and look up information all the time. The lesson learned from the use of a cell phone is how it should not be used while driving. It also should not be answered. This new danger is added to the present danger of drugs and alcohol. It diverts attention needed by every driver and steals needed attention to be a safe driver in today’s traffic and roads.
State Trooper Gene Williamson spoke to the students about the horrors of driving while impaired or distracted.
Loud music, speaking constantly with friends in the car, texting someone, making a cell phone call or evening answering a cell phone call can put you in harms way. Forest City Officer, David Suttles also spoke about being in a controlled environment, safe and concentrating on driving, nothing else.
Before going out with a student on the obstacle course drive, State Trooper Williamson asked other students to call the driver of the golf cart. The golf cart driver was also asked to call a friend before the drive. Then the student driver would drive the course with an officer beside him. The test, unknown to the student at the time, was when the cell phone rang, they should not answer. They also were not supposed to call anyone while driving. Then a second drive around the course was when the student was provided with special goggles. The goggles provided were designed to simulate the impairment effects of drugs or alcohol.
United Way’s Community Engagement Team has a student-led group called the Youth Council. Their overall mission is to encourage students to “take a stand” against drugs, alcohol and the other negative behaviors while driving. Youth Council members asked parents and students to sign a “Safe Road/Safe Homes” Pledge. The pledge states that parents will not serve or provide alcohol to anyone underage and will also securely store all medications. Everyone signing the pledge received a window decal for their car.
Partners in Thursday’s event included N. C. Highway Patrol, Rutherford County’s Sheriff’s Office, Forest City Police, Rutherfordton Police, Spindale Police and United Way’s Community Engagement Team and Youth Council as well as Big Lots.
A time for great lessons learned for our future Rutherford County drivers.
