Cell phone use while driving is more prevalent among teenagers than any other form of distraction or impairment.
This troubling statistic prompted Berlin CSD School Resource Officer Deputy DaLessio and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate with the “Hang Up And Drive” organization to present to the high school Mountaineers before the Thanksgiving break.
Since 2011, the “Hang Up And Drive” program has been seen at over 700 events for teens across the country. “Hang Up and Drive” public speakers and advocates for phone-free roads, Jacy Good and Steve Johnson, were inspiring and connected with the Mountaineers, creating a welcoming and engaging environment to have this very difficult and important conversation.
In 2008, Mrs. Good was in a tragic crash caused by a distracted driver that claimed the lives of both her parents and left her partially paralyzed. Since her recovery, Mrs. Good and Mr. Johnson have made it their mission to educate the country and the world about the dangers of phone use behind the wheel.
Thank you, Mrs. Good and Mr. Johnson, for taking the time to visit with our Mountaineers to spread awareness. To learn more about their important mission of advocating for distraction-free roads, visit the “Hang Up And Drive” website at https://www.hangupanddrive.com/.
Mountaineers who would like to be part of this type of advocacy on a local level should reach out to Berlin CSD SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions, which empowers young people to make positive choices and avoid harmful behaviors like impaired driving, substance abuse, and violence) Coordinator Ms. Shayna Danver at sdavner@berlincentral.org.
“Help us end an epidemic that shatters thousands of American lives every year.” – Hang Up And Drive.
photos: Ms. Shannon DeCelle
