Virtual Distracted Driving Presentations
Students from the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES Career and Technical Education Center received an important message on Feb. 25 about the dangers of distracted driving and its devastating consequences.
Virtual guest speaker Karen Torres lost her father 14 years ago in a crash caused by a distracted driver and now uses her family’s tragedy to show others, first-hand how one poor decision can change their life forever. Torres spoke to students via Zoom about her personal experiences, making safer choices while driving and putting down their cellphones. Since her father’s death in 2006, Torres has traveled the state as a safety advocate, speaker, and educator for teens, adults and organizations.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,841 people were killed by distracted driving in 2018. Cell phone use while driving has surpassed drinking and driving as the leading cause of death and accidents among teens ages 16-20.
The virtual presentations were sponsored by the OHM BOCES chapter of SkillsUSA.