NEWARK, Ohio -- Central Ohio teens were taught a unique lesson and given a wake-up call Tuesday.
NBC 4's Tom Brockman reported with the FAST FACTS.
Prom season. It's a time for glitz and glamour. It also can be a treacherous time for teen drivers.
"Mom and Dad aren't there anymore. They get to be at the wheel of a car and do whatever they want to do," Newark Officer Mike Trotter said.
Trotter said there may be no better time to address teen driving safety.
As part of a program called Students Against Crashes, safety experts with Rumpke teamed up with local officials to give Newark high-school juniors and seniors a crash course on how to avoid becoming a statistic.
It wasn't your run-of-the-mill driving class, though.
Physics and math were used to teach students about safe speeds, when to stop and how to avoid an accident.
"If I tell you to travel two or three car lengths behind another car, you may do that because you respect me, If I teach you why that's important, now that's your own decision to drive that safe distance," Rumpke Safety Director Larry Stone said.
"If you're going to be making a right- or left-hand turn, you got about 100 yards ahead of you, you probably want to start breaking now instead of waiting 10 feet," Stone said.
Students Against Crashes was created in 2004 after three teenagers were killed in a crash in Butler County.
"Typically, in our society, we give a kid a license, and we really don't do anything with them. There's no remedial testing or training until they get in trouble, and at that point, it's too late," Stone said.
"I've seen kids get in the habit of driving with one hand or driving recklessly, and I've seen how that can affect people and cause crashes," Newark Catholic High student Ellen Vohsing said.
That's exactly what officials hoped the program prevents.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement