ABERDEEN, S.D. – Aberdeen Central High School will host a safe driving event on Monday, Oct. 16, in honor of Teen Driver Safety Week.
The event, organized by CHS School Resource Officer John Kirnan, will include the South Dakota Highway Patrol Rollover Simulator Trailer, which will be set up in the CHS parking lot from 9:45 to 11:10 a.m. A mock crash will be set up in that area as well.
The week’s events will also include a showing of CHS student Katelyn Ryan’s award-winning PSA about the dangers of distracted driving. Ryan’s powerful video—starring CHS students—won first place in the nation in the #DrivingSkills101 Public Service Announcement challenge, co-sponsored by Students Against Destructive Decisions and the National Road Safety Foundation.
Teen Driver Safety Week, sponsored by the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration (NHTSA), serves as an opportunity for parents and guardians to have a conversation with teens about safe driving habits. Teen driver facts from the NHTSA include:
- Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States.
- 2,608 people were killed in crashes involving a teen passenger vehicle driver (15-18 years old) in 2021, of which 861 deaths were the teen driver.
- Parents and guardians can be the biggest influence on our teens’ choices when they are behind the wheel.
For more information about National Teen Driver Safety, visit the NHTSA website.
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.