Page 3 - May 2012

Public Safety If you have an Emergency Call 9-1-1  High School Students Learn to “Arrive Alive” April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month By Scott Freeman, Community Resource Offcer One Text Or Call Could Wreck It All. Oakville and April was National Distracted driving. (NHTSA) Rochester High awareness month, and although  In the month of June 2011, more School students we presented information to the than 196 billion text messages learned the teens in our community, we think were sent or received in the US, it is important for everyone to dangers of texting know the facts. Thanks to the up nearly 50% from June 2009. and alcohol National Highway Traffc safety (CTIA) effects driving Administration for providing the in the simulator following information.  Teen drivers are more likely than vehicle. other age groups to be involved Distracted driving is the #1 killer Warnock presented the youth WHAT IS DISTRACTED in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of of American teens. To bring with an eye-opening look into DRIVING? Distracted driving teen drivers involved in a fatal attention to this issue, the Chehalis what happens after death and how is any activity that could divert Tribal Police hosted Rochester and traumatic the events are for the a person’s attention away from crash were reported to have been Oakville High School students to an surviving families. the primary task of driving. All distracted. (NHTSA) event, which focused on teaching distractions endanger driver,  40% of all American teens say teens the dangers of distracted/drunk Teens climbed behind the wheel passenger, and bystander safety. they have been in a car when the driving. of a car, and thanks to simulator These types of distractions include: technology they had the opportunity  Texting driver used a cell phone in a way Just before 9:00 a.m. on April 25 , to drive while instructors text that put people in danger. (Pew) th nearly 130 sophomores, juniors messaged them or caused them  Using a cell phone or smartphone  Drivers who use hand-held and seniors arrived at the Chehalis to have an artifcially high blood devices are 4 times more likely to Tribal Community Center to attend alcohol level. All walked away  Eating and drinking the day long event. After being shocked at how much being Talking to passengers get into crashes serious enough welcomed to the community by intoxicated or distracted negatively  to injure themselves. (Monash Tribal Chairman David Burnett the effected their ability to drive.  Grooming University) students attended breakout sessions Thanks to a donation from the  Text messaging creates a crash dedicated to teaching the dangers of Chehalis Tribal Enterprises every  Reading, including maps risk 23 times worse than driving distracted driving. student had the opportunity to while not distracted. (VTTI) receive a picture pledge card with  Using a navigation system Staff from the Washington State their friends promising not to drive  Sending or receiving a text takes Department of Licensing presented distracted.  Watching a video a driver’s eyes from the road for the teens with an engaging presentation how distracted driving Lunches provided by the Lucky  Adjusting a radio, CD player, or an average of 4.6 seconds, the can cause them the loss of their Eagle Casino gave the students a MP3 player equivalent of driving at 55mph license. needed break and a chance to re- Text messaging requires visual, the length of an entire football energize in between sessions. feld, blind. (VTTI) Thurston County Prosecutor Joe manual, and cognitive attention Wheeler explained to the teens what The event included a opportunities from the driver, it is by far the most  Headset cell phone use is not they could expect from the legal for the teens to try CPR, examine alarming distraction according to substantially safer than hand-held system as both teens and adults. the equipment used by fre research from the National Highway use. (VTTI) personnel at crashes and meet Traffc Safety Administration. Meghan Sullivan from with law enforcement from the  Using a cell phone while driving - TOGETHER, taught the teens about Tribe and both Thurston and Grays Key Facts and Statistics whether it’s hand-held or hands- negative peer pressure and teen Harbor Counties. Airlift Northwest  In 2009, 5,474 people were free delays a driver’s reactions as misconceptions about their peers gave teens a chance look at the killed in crashes involving driver much as having a blood alcohol drug and alcohol use. helicopter and talk with the crew. distraction, and an estimated concentration at the legal limit of 448,000 were injured. (NHTSA) Brice Goodman told his harrowing The Washington State Patrol was .08 percent. (University of Utah) story of riding with a drunk driver. on hand to answer questions and  16% of fatal crashes in  Driving while using Brice was left trapped with a broken displayed a car involved in a local 2009 involved reports a cell phone reduces the neck in a car leaking gas and distracted driving fatal accident. of distracted driving. amount of brain activity covered with downed power lines as An information fair allowed teens (NHTSA) associated with driving his friend ran away to avoid being to meet with colleges, prospective by 37%. (Carnegie arrested. employers and other providers of  20% of injury crashes Mellon) teen services giving them a rounded in 2009 involved Thurston County Coroner Gary day of learning and exploration. reports of distracted chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net Page 3