Highway Patrol hosts safe driving program

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Highway Patrol is holding "Drive to Live" programs all this week to encourage teen driver safety during prom season.

State officials held a news conference Monday at Millbrook High School in Raleigh to kick off the initiative.

"I ask you to take the time to sit down with your teen to explain the dangers of risk-taking behavior," Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Reuben Young told attendees.

Highway Patrol Col. Michael Gilchrist said the program is designed to teach teens about the dangers of irresponsible driving and reduce the number of deaths.

The Highway Patrol has investigated traffic accidents that caused the deaths of 276 teens in the past four years.

On Sunday, a 16-year-old Leesville Road High School student lost control of the minivan he was driving, crashed into trees and died. Raleigh police said Saleh Jamal Abdullah was speeding and wasn't wearing a seat belt.

Troopers will be conducting traffic safety education programs at high schools around the state and will be around schools to enforce all traffic laws.

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"Want to make a difference with the kids, start trying and convicting them in court for their vehicular misdeeds and not allow traffic school to reduce/eliminate the charges. "

Maybe you haven't paid attention: by then it's too late.

timbo10.0
April 12, 2011 8:14 a.m.

Whatever happened to Driver's Education? When I took it I was made to learn the rules, the consequences of not obeying them and I was actually taught how to drive!

cbengle1
April 11, 2011 7:37 p.m.

SHP, good intentions, wasted effort. Want to make a difference with the kids, start trying and convicting them in court for their vehicular misdeeds and not allow traffic school to reduce/eliminate the charges. Someway make the parents partially responsible; I have seen way too many parents either condone or make excuses for their kids violations. After half a high school's kids lose their driver's license then others will start catching on. Having Mommie and/or Daddy take their 17-18 to school is embarrassing and will have an impact on others. How do I know what I am talking about???I sometime instruct in traffic schools and see and hear the kids joke about their violations and how some attorney will get them out of it after the school. Almost forgot, some District Attorneys need to grow a back bone and prosecute those cases and not bargain them away, they are not doing anyone a favor, not the general motoring public and especially the kids who have just had their lax opinions of the

My3centsworth
April 11, 2011 7:27 p.m.

I have an idea to limit teen stupidity behind the wheel, take away there cell phones.

Crew Dog E6
April 11, 2011 7:11 p.m.

Agree that driver's ed should come back - if not in the schools, then perhaps how Ohio does it - require a private driver's ed class if the kid wants a license before they turn 18. You can see the lack of education in the NC native driving style - don't know how to merge on to an interstate, don't understand passing zones on 2-lane roads, etc. My HS did not offer driver's ed and I had to spend 16 hours in a classroom and 8 more hours in an instructor-led car before I could take my test. Something like this would really help educate new drivers on how to safely operate a vehicle, especially in a crowded area like the Triangle.