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Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person
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Welcome to the VIP for a VIP Program
Our NEWS ! (click on photos to enlarge)
· March 1, 2009 Audio / Visual equipment purchase completed just in time for the spring programs. The NC Association of Insurance Agents provided funding of $15,000 to the VIP for a VIP program for this equipment.
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January 27, 2009
Representatives from Greensboro Fire, High Point Fire and Guilford County
Emergency Services accept a check for $25,000 for the VIP for a VIP Program from the
· Comment and share experiences at our new Blog page. · The VIP for a VIP program can now accept online credit card donations !
Our Latest literature Program overview School Letter School info form
Our History is relatively short and the core of the VIP for a VIP program has not changed much during this time. The program was conceived in 1998 when off-duty firefighters Steve Zimmerman and Larry Cockman, came upon a vehicle accident that had just occurred involving two teens who had decided to skip school that day. The driver had lost control of the vehicle and struck a bridge column, ejecting her from the vehicle, which came to rest on top of her taking her life. In the days following the accident, Steve and Larry struggled with this senseless loss and purposed to develop a program to educate teens by bringing the reality of what they saw that day to the doorstep of high schools in the area. The first VIP for a VIP program was delivered at Northeast Guilford High School, NC in the spring of 1998, and has been delivered to area high schools every spring and fall since that time. To date 70 programs have been delivered reaching over 43,107 teenagers.
Our
Our
Vision
is that, at the end of the day, students will have a realistic
picture of what can happen as a result of one moment of inattention.
It’s not just driving while impaired, it’s also sending that
quick text message, partying in the car, aggressive driving, and
other distractions that set in motion a horrifying, irreversible
chain of events.
Our
Program is delivered by volunteers from local Fire, A week before the program the VIP places an a memorial vehicle that two students lost their life in at the front entrance of the school as a visible testimony from the victims families. Click photos to enlarge The morning session, which lasts
about an hour, brings students to the auditorium where they hear speakers
from emergency services and parents of teenage accident victims talk about
their experiences. The students then view video presentations and
statistics on accidents involving teenage drivers. The presentation is
direct from the real world, graphic, and true. It is not just about
driving while impaired and speeding, but mostly about avoiding the distractions
that capture the attention of these new drivers for the few seconds that it
takes to cause an accident. The morning session lasts
approximately one hour. Click photos to enlarge
The afternoon session lasts about 30 minutes. Students are assembled on bleachers outside to observe a reenactment of a fatal automobile accident. Once assembled, a covering is removed revealing a smoking auto with a teen driver slumped over the steering wheel. A jogger runs by the accident. Over the speakers, the students hear his call to 911, followed by the dispatch of police, fire, and ambulance units. The driver talks throughout the event about how he should have been paying attention and about all the things he will miss because of this wreck. Emergency units arrive and find the patient unconscious, pinned in the vehicle, and begin cutting the door and roof off to get the patient out. Once out, rescuers perform CPR as the teens mom and dad arrive. The rescuers efforts are unsuccessful, CPR is discontinued, and the patient is loaded into the ambulance as the parents cry in disbelief. How can he be dead? He's only 17. The students are dismissed and return to class. Click photos to enlarge
A Contract for Life is sent home with the students for the parents and student to come together to agree that if the student finds themself in a situation where it would be unsafe to drive or ride with another that the parents would come to the rescue without a dramatic confrontation.
I________________________, promise to obey all traffic laws, and wear available lap and shoulder restraints at all times, when operating, or riding, in a motor vehicle. Further, I will not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that may alter my ability to drive safely. I will not ride in a motor vehicle with anyone who is impaired by drugs or alcohol. I understand that this is a "Zero Tolerance" agreement (no amount of alcohol or drugs will be tolerated regardless of how small). I agree to limit passengers in my car to a number established by my parent(s) or guardian(s). Additionally, I will call my parents for transportation if I cannot drive safely, or if I feel unsafe riding with another driver. Student Signature______________________ Date___/___/___ I,______________________________ the parent/guardian of_______________________________ promise to set a good example when operating a motor vehicle. Additionally, I agree to provide transportation at any time if you find yourself in a bad situation and promise to be reasonable and respectful in disciplinary actions. I promise to ensure your safety by revoking your driving privileges if you violate this agreement. Parent Signature______________________ Date___/___/___
The VIP for a VIP Program provides a rollover simulator for local fire departments to use for public safety events. We want to reach not only teenage drivers but start "safety in the car" thinking at the elementary age. Kids can help us all because they believe what they hear and see and they are not afraid to remind parents when we get lazy on safety.
Links to Teen Driver Safety Information http://www.allstate.com/content/refresh-attachments/citizenship/chronic.pdf http://www.allstate.com/foundation/teen-safe-driving.aspx http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Teen_Drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html http://cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/teendrivers.htm http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/teendrivers/ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.6a6eaf83cf719ad24ec86e10dba046a0/ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9fa154a4d39f02e770f6df1020008a0c/
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