NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will deliver the “Between the Barrels” presentation to 930 high school students at Macon County High School in Macon County, Friday, August 28, 2009. The safe driving program, which is geared to students who are just learning to drive, aims to reduce the chances of being involved in a dangerous work zone crash.
As part of the presentation, Lt. Robert Christian and Sgt. Kent Norris will stress teen driver safety and the importance of the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when passing emergency vehicles on the roadway.
WHO: TDOT, THP Safety Education
WHAT: “Between the Barrels” Presentation
WHEN: 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 28, 2009
WHERE: Macon County High School, Macon County
During the 2008-09 academic year, the successful TDOT “Between the Barrels” program has reached students in more than 90 schools with the compelling visual message—“When it comes to driving, there’s no such thing as beginner’s luck.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the leading cause of fatalities among teens in the United States. Nationally, teen drivers (ages 13-19) are at a four times greater risk for crashes than older adults and are involved in 15 percent of fatal crashes, but make up 6.7 percent of the total driving population. In 2007, there were 188 teen drivers involved in 178 fatal crashes in Tennessee resulting in 192 deaths. In 2008, this figure decreased to 137 teen drivers involved in 132 fatal crashes resulting in 149 deaths. In 2008, preliminary statistics indicate a 32 percent decline in teen fatalities from 166 in 2007 to113 teenagers who lost their lives on Tennessee roadways last year. As of Aug 24, 2009, preliminary statistics indicate 51 teenagers have been killed on Tennessee roadways compared to 72 at this same time a year ago.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.