Dear fellow Hanoverians:
Distractology 101 is coming to Hanover High School during the week of
September 29 – October 3! Distractology 101 is an interactive program
developed by the Arbella Insurance Foundation to teach new drivers the
dangers of distracted driving. The campaign features a 36-foot-long,
neon-yellow mobile classroom outfitted with high-tech driving simulators
designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of
distracted driving, including texting while driving.
According to a 2014 report from the Centers for Disease Control, an
estimated nine people die and 1,060 are hurt each day as a result of
distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) reports that 71% of teens and young adults say they have composed
and sent text messages while driving, and 78% of teens and young adults say
they have read a text while driving. Sending or receiving a text message
takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds—the
equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field at 55 mph,
blind. According to the NHTSA, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell
phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving at any given
daylight moment across America.
To date, 7,000 new drivers, meaning those that have been licensed less than
three years or have a learner’s permit, have completed the Distractology
101 training. In 2012, 97% percent of students surveyed said the experience
was effective or extremely effective and 82% said they would recommend the
experience to a friend.
During the 45 minute driving simulator training — Distractology 101: A
Crash Course on Distracted Driving — teens and other new drivers face a
number of scenarios based on real-world examples, educating participants on
how to anticipate hidden hazards, react to the road and avoid accidents.
Participants also complete the online portion of the curriculum at
www.DistractU.com and make a safe-driving pledge in order to complete the
training.
Several local officials will be on hand to show their support for the
Distractology 101 training program on Tuesday September 30 at 10:00 a.m.
They include State Representative Rhonda Nyman, Town Manager Troy Clarkson,
Police Chief Walter Sweeney, Fire Chief Jeff Blanchard, Superintendent
Matthew Ferron and Hanover High School Principal Matthew Paquette.
“Distracted driving is an increasingly dangerous problem, especially
among younger drivers. The recent generations of first time drivers have
grown up with new technology like smart phones as a large part of their
daily lives. I can’t stress how important it is that we educate them at a
young age on how dangerous using these devices or being distracted while
operating a vehicle can be,” said Representative Nyman. “I’d like to
thank the Arbella Insurance Foundation for bringing the driving simulator
to Hanover. Their hands on, interactive approach really engages the
students.”
Special thanks to Hanover residents Kevin Dyer of AP Insurance Group and
Tom Monaghan of Monaghan and Tinkham Insurance Agency for working with
Arbella bring this program to Hanover. To sign up for the free
Distractology 101 training, call Hanover High School at 781-878-5450 and
ask for the Guidance Department. For more information, contact Lucy
Muscarella of Arbella at lmuscarella@greenough.biz .
For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B
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