The interactive "Decide to Drive" program visited the Phoenix-area's Valley Institute of Technology to remind young drivers why it's important to focus on the road when they’re behind the wheel. The Auto Alliance and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) sponsors the interactive program, which is now traveling to schools and reinforcing to teens the importance of not getting distracted behind the wheel. Part of the program’s mission is empowering young drivers to help start the conversation: students to parents, parents to students, and young drivers to their friends – especially when they’re behind the wheel.
"For young drivers - or any driver for that matter - their first priority is the safe operation of their car or truck which means eyes on the road and hands on the wheel," said Auto Alliance Vice President of Safety Rob Strassburger.
The program's stop in Arizona attracted more than a thousand high school students who heard from Ford Driving Skills for Life lead driving expert Mike Speck, who has more than 20 years of experience as a high-performance instructor and professional racer. The students also heard from Dr. Tongue, a practicing surgeon with years of experience putting bones and limbs back together after road crashes and trauma.
"We want to prevent distracted driving injuries, especially among young drivers, and keep them and their passengers safe and strong for life," said AAOS President Dr. John Tongue.
Before and after the speakers, the students saw Chicago improv actors perform interactive skits on the importance of making the choice to decide to drive. The Phoenix event is the latest in a series of outreach efforts that include a PSA campaign, an interactive Decide to Drive Website and the distribution of awareness curriculums delivered to thousands of schools across the country.
