BGCA, UPS Foundation Kick-off
National Safe Driving Program for Teens in Richmond
WHAT: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among U.S. teenagers; In 2011, the state of Virginia alone had more than 20,700 teens who were involved in car accidents with 65 teen fatalities and more than 7,600 teens injured according to the Virginia Highway Safety office.
Leading the charge to combat this ever-growing issue, The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to launch UPS Road Code in Richmond, a national program that teaches safe driving techniques to teens. The recently expanded program will kick-off at a free community event in the Richmond area. In addition, the mayor of Richmond, Dwight C. Jones, has proclaimed Thursday, September 27, as UPS Road Code Teen Safe Driving Day.
The UPS Road Code is largely based on the same safety training used by UPS’s own drivers and the course is taught by local Richmond UPS employees trained as volunteer instructors. UPS Road Code provides teens with four sessions of classroom-based instruction, as well as time “behind the wheel” of a virtual driving simulator.
The program focuses on different safety principles each week, from basic instruction to the consequences of risky behaviors such as talking on cell phones, texting or drinking while driving. Throughout the program, teens have a chance to practice what they’ve learned on the driving simulators, which feature a computer screen that serves as a windshield to the program’s interactive animation, a steering wheel and life-like gas and brake pedals. To learn more about the UPS Road Code program view this video.
WHEN: Thursday, September 27 | 4:30p.m. – 6:30p.m.
WHERE: Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond — BB&T Teen Center 910 S. Harrison St. Richmond, VA 23220
WHO: Local Richmond area teenagers, Local Richmond UPS drivers and instructors, Local Boys & Girls Club directors, Various Richmond community representatives
ACTIVITIES:
- Driving simulators with 180° views, available for test drives and one-on-one challenges; allows the driver to experience how distractions and impairments effect their driving ability
- Timed obstacle course that mimics a teen’s morning routine with prizes for attendees
- Safe driving quiz to test participants’ knowledge of the rules of the road, see if they make the grade
- National petition pledging safety behind the wheel
- Information from shared from local officials including the Richmond Police Department
