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Monday, June 29, 2009 8:09 AM Reducing teen driving deaths Johnston County students must pass extra driving course in order to drive to school By Stephanie Creech | Times Senior Writer Starting next school year, Johnston County Schools is requiring students who want to purchase a high school parking pass to show proof they’ve completed a defensive driving course, “Alive at 25.” The course is offered for $25 per student through Johnston Community College in Smithfield. The last class will be offered July 27 meaning students basically have a month left in order to sign-up and complete the requirement. Johnston County Schools is the first school district in the state to require its high school students to take the additional defensive driving course before they can drive to school. The impetus for expanding the driver's education curriculum was the high number of teen fatalities in the county during the last five years. Since 2004, Johnston County Schools has lost 28 students in traffic accidents, making it one of the highest counties in the state for teen fatalities over that time period. Students taking the course this summer are mainly rising juniors and seniors who already had their driver's license prior to the school district implementing its new "Because We Care" teen driving program. The class, which is four hours long, is offered three times per day five days per week between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Students can register for the class through the college. Registration forms can be secured at the student's school. District officials estimate that 1,800 students need to take the course this summer. But Terri Sessoms, public information officer for Johnston County Schools, said not all of those students drive to school. That figure is based on the students' age and whether they had already taken driver's education. The first class was offered June 15. Thus far, 882 students have registered for the "Alive at 25" course, according to Kim Wiggs Gamlin, department chairman for community service and self-supporting programs at Johnston Community College. Jeffery Cockrell, a retired Johnston County sheriff's deputy, is teaching the "Alive at 25" course.
At the end of the course, the students are tested. The community college will provide the school district with rosters of the students completing the "Alive at 25" course. creech@wilsontimes.com | 265-7822 |
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young driver said...
Love the idea! Even though some people and students may complain that it is a hassle, I think that just to have exposure and knowledge in something as important as defensive driving can help someone to think twice about their driving capabilities and reactions when driving.
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Love the idea! Even though some people and students may complain that it is a hassle, I think that just to have exposure and knowledge in something as important as defensive driving can help someone to think twice about their driving capabilities and reactions when driving.
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM
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