Pennsylvania K-12 Traffic Safety Educational Programs
Effective Presentations by Local Law Enforcement
Survival 101
Seat Belts, Distracted Driving, Crashes and More
Year after year, our young people continue to needlessly die and suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of traffic crashes. The combination of alcohol use and lack of driving experience have accelerated this epidemic.
Despite decades of interventions, stricter laws, increased enforcement and awareness, support groups, public policy changes and national media campaigns we are still losing our children.
Pennsylvania´s graduated license has already yielded life saving benefits by mandating increased on-the road experience. Zero tolerance laws for persons under the age of 21 have reduced the access to and consumption of alcohol. In addition, we must continue to move forward on several fronts to address youth injuries and death.
Any effective educational intervention must address both youth alcohol prevention and highway safety. Reducing youth alcohol consumption is only part of the equation. We must also encourage safety belt use, increased on-the -road experience and the reduction of aggressive and fatigued driving. Most importantly, we must make youth aware of their responsibilities.
Program Overview
“Survival 101: A Student´s Guide to Staying Alive” is a police-driven curriculum designed to encourage appropriate decision making among middle and high school students. Developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation´s Buckle Up PA Project, Survival 101 provides police officers with the multimedia tools necessary to successfully lead a dynamic, hard-hitting presentation.
Middle and high school students (ages 12-18) traditionally have been a difficult audience to reach. Attempts to change attitudes and behaviors in this age group have always been a difficult task. Survival 101 tackles topics like seat belt use, impaired and distracted driving and drowsy driving in relatable way.
This curriculum provides a step-by-step program guide that allows officers to draw from their own personal experiences when relating to teenage crashes and fatalities. Program leaders who have “been there” can explain to students what it´s like to respond to a serious crash and to inform loved ones of tragedy. At Buckle Up PA, we feel that this personal approach – when paired with a high-energy multimedia presentation – is the best way to reach this target age group.
Presentations are free
Survival 101 is appropriate for students in grades 6-12. More than 300 Municipal and State Police are trained to present the “Survival 101” program. Each department now has a “Survival 101” Curriculum and the materials to complete a program within their jurisdiction. Pre- and post-event surveys and leave behinds can be used to reach students and their families.
Sit Back is completely free and is a public service from PennDOT, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Buckle Up Pennsylvania.
