Driving challenge
Meyersdale Area High School students in grades nine through 12 attend an important assembly, “Take the Lead: Ford Driving Skills for Life,” on September 29. This panel discussion is made possible through Pittsburgh’s KDKA; the Ford company; Pennsylvania State Police; Allegheny Health Network and Diehl’s Ford, Grantsville.
Taking the Lead: Ford Driving Skills for Life is a comprehensive community initiative offering education for newly licensed, inexperienced, teenage drivers with skills to improve their driving and make good decisions behind the wheel.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Teen motor vehicle crashes are preventable, and proven strategies can improve the safety of young drivers on the road. Approximately 30% of motor vehicle deaths are attributed to impaired driving.
Shelley Bortz, KDKA anchor/reporter, served as the emcee for the assembly and offered her own story about the dangers of impaired driving and its lasting and devastating effects of impaired driving.
Bortz was overcome with emotion as she shared details of an accident that nearly took her life and tragically took the life of her best friend. In 1994, Bortz, a freshman in college, was in a car that was hit by a 16-year-old driver who ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed. Bortz was severely injured and sustained many injuries. While she has recovered from the physical injuries, the memories of that day remain with her and she is dedicated to sharing a message of staying safe when behind the wheel of a car.
“It can happen in an instant, something that will forever change your life. One minute I was in the backseat of a car with my best friend putting on lip gloss and the next thing I know I am waking up in a hospital. Somehow, I knew my friend didn’t make it.”
Bortz pleaded with the students to make good choices and avoid driving while impaired, “Don’t do it and don’t let others.”
Other speakers included Dr. Allan S. Philp Jr., AGH chief medical officer; Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Melinda Bondarenka; Joe Thurby, Fayette County Ford Dealership; and Vivian Diehl, Diehl’s Ford Sales, Grantsville.
Trooper Bondarenka said the most difficult aspect of her job is informing families that someone they love has been killed. “We aren’t here to scare you and make you feel bad, we want you to be safe and if we can stop just one of you from making a decision that could forever change your life or that of someone else, it will be worth it.”
Trooper Bondarenka emphasized the need to be vigilant when you are behind the wheel.
“There are so many distractions for drivers and especially young drivers,” she added.
Dr. Philp said he has seen firsthand, too many times to count, the results of impaired and/or distracted driving. He urged students to always wear their seatbelts both as drivers and passengers. Philp shared stories about the devastating effects of reckless driving on both the patient and their friends and family.
Vivian Diehl, vice president of Diehl’s Ford Sales, urged students to examine their vehicles and be aware of maintenance issues that can have an effect on the performance of vehicles: “Check your vehicles, make sure they are safe and you stay safe.”
Elizabeth McClintock, MAHS SADD advisor, said this assembly highlighted the goals of her club and provided important tips and information designed to keep both student drivers and their passengers safe. “Our students need to be reminded about the importance of staying safe on the roadways and this presentation focused on more than drinking and driving but also car maintenance and knowing what to pay attention to on a vehicle,” she explained.
This event was organized by Diehl Ford and they wanted to have an opportunity to give back to the community and provide young drivers with valuable tools for safety. We appreciate their willingness to bring this important program to our students,” added MAHS Principal Matthew Gombita.
“Take the Lead: Ford Driving Skills for Life” has been presented to schools across the region since 2003. Thank you to KDKA, Diehl’s Ford, Thurby’s Riverside Ford, Allegheny County Pretrial Services, Allegheny Health Network and the Pennsylvania State Police for bringing this important program to MAHS.