All teens know that they should "buckle up, slow down and never drink and drive." However, most teens don't know they can make a difference by stopping friends from making mistakes before tragedy strikes.
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Friday Night Live/Club Live, and the California Office of Traffic Safety are teaming up on a project to empower teens to intervene on a regular basis to keep their friends and community safe.
"It Doesn't Have to Happen" is a traffic safety program designed to minimize accident and death rates among teenage drivers. The purpose of the program is to increase teen intervention in unsafe driving situations such as speeding, drinking and driving, and not buckling up.
"Studies show that teens asking other teens to drive safely can help reduce traffic fatalities," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "Unsafe driving situations occur every day but teens can prevent them from occurring by getting involved and talking with their friends."
Hundreds of students attending middle schools throughout Sacramento County have been participating in a poster contest designed to encourage students to intervene during unsafe situations. On Friday, April 11, 2008, the winners of the countywide contest will be announced at the Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento, at the conclusion of the 11th Annual Club Live Countywide Lip Sync Competition.
The posters will be displayed at the Lip Sync Competition and will all carry messages showing the serious consequences of failing to intervene when a friend is driving unsafely.
For more information on the program "It Doesn't Have to Happen", call (916) 228-2418.
Participating Schools and Districts
Elk Grove USD
- Katherine Albiani Middle School
- Edward Harris Middle School
- Samuel Jackman Middle School
- Joseph Kerr Middle School
- James Rutter Middle School
- T.R. Smedberg Middle School
Folsom Cordova USD
- Mills Middle School
- Mitchell Middle School
- Folsom Middle School
- Sutter Middle School
Grant USD
- Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School
Natomas USD
- Natomas Middle School
San Juan USD
- Sylvan Middle School
- Churchill Middle School