At the beginning of his 14 year career in law enforcement, Trooper Timothy Weldon of the Massachusetts State Police was taught to immediately look for signs of drug or alcohol use when investigating a motor vehicle accident.
These days, when an accident occurs, smart phones and other personal electronic devices are the first things that Weldon and his fellow troopers look for.
Weldon recently shared this information with students of Blackstone Valley Tech in a presentation on the dangers of distracted driving. While cell phones and other devices were a big part of the discussion, Weldon emphasized to BVT students that distracted driving comes in many forms, including eating behind the wheel, interacting with boisterous passengers, and searching the airwaves for your favorite song.
“Anything at all that takes your eyes off the road is considered distracted driving,” Weldon said.
The presentation on distracted driving was organized by the BVT SkillsUSA Community Service Team, which has been conducting an ongoing campaign about the pros and cons of social media, including its potential negative influence on young drivers.
“Social media is becoming a larger epidemic. Today it’s not only texting that is becoming a distraction to teens while driving but also social media applications,” explained SkillsUSA Community Service Team member Ella Dehestani of Millvile, a junior in the Valley Tech Health Services program. “Trooper Weldon clearly indicated to the student body that these applications are not only limiting interpersonal interactions but are also taking away lives behind the wheel.”
In addition to organizing Weldon’s presentation at Blackstone Valley Tech, the SkillsUSA Community Service Team has been raising awareness of social media safety by making its own presentations in area middle and high schools and encouraging students to become SMARTIES (Social Media: Acting Responsibly with Technology In Every Situation).
As part of their campaign on social media safety, the Blackstone Valley Tech SkillsUSA Community Service Team recently arranged a school-wide presentation on distracted driving from Trooper Timothy Weldon of the Massachusetts State Police (far right). The BVT SkillsUSA Community Service Team is comprised of (left to right) BVT Health Services sophomore Samantha Cella of Northbridge, Health Services junior Ella Dehestani of Millville, and Health Services sophomore Mikayla Corda of Grafton. The Team’s advisors are Valley Tech instructors Francis Petty and Rebecca Corda.
UPTON DAILY 