Wednesday, Feb. 01, 2012
Belton student, teacher invited to US DOT
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ReprintBelton High School’s efforts to improve teen driver safety in their community has earned them an invitation to visit the United States Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. Since 2010, Belton High School has been involved with Project Ignition, a service-learning teen driver safety program coordinated by National Youth Leadership Council and funded by State Farm.
On Jan. 9, Jason Weinzierl traveled to Washington to represent Belton High School, alongside nine other Project Ignition Leader Schools from across the United States, to share the effective strategies used in his community to positively impact teen driver safety. Mary Cummings, Service Learning Coordinator, will accompany Weinzierl as the Project Ignition mentor.
Student representatives spent the day shadowing a DOT employee to learn more about the various ways DOT impacts public safety. Students also had the opportunity to attend a luncheon with United States Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood . Following the luncheon, Cummings and Weinzierl participated in a meeting with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, then attended a special reception with key leaders on Capitol Hill that evening.
“Teens are often the most at risk on our roadways, so I’m grateful for all of the young people involved with Project Ignition who are promoting safe driving in communities nationwide,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
“Efforts to combat distracted driving begin when a young person learns to drive. These students are at the forefront of the fight and having them meet with the Secretary is a unique opportunity,” said David Beigie, Vice President of Public Affairs at State Farm. “Project Ignition is just one of the many ways State Farm is working to make our roadways safer, and these young people demonstrate how teens everywhere can make positive changes in their communities.”
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 47 schools throughout the U.S. and Canada, young people are responding to this staggering statistic through Project Ignition.
The students on Belton’s Project Ignition Team and on the Service Learning Advisory board are working diligently to make the Belton community aware of safe driving practices and having “no texting while driving” become a habit rather than a choice.
For more information about Project Ignition, visit www.sfprojectignition.com.
