A new educational program to help youth understand the deadly risks associated with impaired and distracted driving is being rolled through a Children’s Safety Village partnership with Belleville police, Brighton community policing, the Co-operators and Ministry of Transportation.
The new youth road safety program was announced by the Children’s Safety Village and will specifically help youth ages 14 to 18 through a driving simulator, real-life stories and live interactive learning experiences to give participants a realistic understanding of how alcohol, drugs and distractions impact reaction time, judgment and overall road safety.
“By experiencing the consequences in a safe learning environment, youth gain practical awareness that traditional classroom lessons cannot replicate,” said the Children’s Safety Village.
The program is set to run quarterly through the safety village, with upcoming session dates to be announced online.
“Prevention starts before a licence is issued,” said CSV executive director Rachelle Baldock. “By helping youth truly understand the impact of impaired and distracted driving, we empower them to make safer choices that protect lives across our community.”
The program will be largely focused on prevention through education, encouraging responsible decision-making before teens get behind the wheel independently, added project partners.
In addition to learning the real consequences of unsafe driving behaviours, youth will also learn strategies to protect themselves, passengers and others on the road.
