Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of teens in America. Teen drivers are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than their adult counterparts, and teen-involved crash deaths spiked 10 percent in 2015 (GHSA).
One student took on the challenge to raise awareness about road safety in her home town. Rhea Chawla is currently a junior at Flowery Branch High School in Georgia. Driving safety is a subject very close to Rhea’s heart. Her mother was involved in a severe car wreck involving a distracted teenage driver.
Now, as a State Farm Road Safety Ambassador, Rhea wants to raise awareness so everyone understands the dangers associated with distracted driving. The State Farm Road Safety Ambassador program is part of Youth Service America, an organization committed to engaging youth as leaders through volunteering, community service, national service, and civic engagement.
Leading up to the nationally recognized teen driver safety week, Rhea coordinated a road safety event which was held October 22, 2016, in Gainsville, Georgia. The free event, Rally for Road Safety, welcomed people of all ages and included distracted driving simulations, safety lessons, and games to help participants retain the safe driving message.
Organizations that rallied in support of Rhea’s road safety event and support traffic safety year-round were: Teens in the Driver Seat®, the Joshua Foundation, the Shepherd Center of Injury Prevention, the E.I.T Traffic Department, Georgia Department of Transportation, Hall County Sheriff’s Department, Hall County 4H, and the local State Farm agency.
It’s great that a student did this on her own. And started the rally.