First Impact tells parents about Graduated Driver’s License
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Staff Writer
Posted 10/4/17
Educators in area schools are going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure students are both learning and safe. Schools are vamping up their role in making sure students are being safe while …
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First Impact tells parents about Graduated Driver’s License
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Staff Writer
Educators in area schools are going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure students are both learning and safe.Schools are vamping up their role in making sure students are being safe while driving to and from their destinations as part of a relatively new initiative introduced through the University of Missouri.The School of Medicine began the First Impact program last year to spread awareness about driving safety for teens throughout Missouri.“It’s all about reducing injuries and traffic fatalities,” said Program Director Deanna Dothage.Dothage, a Warrenton resident, took over leadership of the program on Jan. 23. Her job is to travel throughout the state recruiting and training individuals on the local level to teach classes to parents and students.“Our emphasis is strongly on the GDL (Graduated Drivers License) Training Program,” said Dothage. “I reach out to law enforcement officers, educators or MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) employees — anyone who has an interest in students and traffic safety.”“Our goal is by having the parents supervise their teenager driving more hours, that child becomes a more experienced driver before they get out on the road alone,” said Dothage. “Research has shown GDL has been instrumental in reducing teen crashes 30-40 percent.”Dothage said this is not a drivers education class but rather a safety information program to equip parents and students.“The GDL is a three-step program,” she explained. “The purpose is to ease students into licensure.”First Impact recently held a program at Wright City High School, where teacher James Baker and retired law enforcement officer Gary Ruebling presented to around 15 parents and students.“We want to educate the public and spread awareness that we don’t have to lose teens to driving accidents,” said Dothage. “Parents have to be willing to model good driving behaviors and make sure their children are experienced and safe before alone.”First Impact will hold its first presentation in Warrenton at the Elks Lodge from 6-7:30 p.m. May 2.
Retired Law Enforcement Officer Gary Ruebling presents information to a group of parents during the First Impact meeting held at Wright City High School on March 16. First Impact is a program operated through the University of Missouri to educate parents and students about the benefits of using a Graduated Drivers License.
