Army Medicine Ambassadors Get Teen Drivers Going in the Right Direction

Getting teens on the right side of the road, literally, when it comes to good driving practices has Army Medicine Ambassadors focused on teen driving and their safety.

Staff Sgt. Stephanie King and Staff Sgt. Gillespie Washington of Fort Stewart, representatives of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Ambassadors, volunteered at Islands High School on Wilmington Island, Georgia. They helped during the high school's Teens in the Driver Seat Campaign.

Teens in the Driver's Seat is an important program for teens who recently are or about to get their driver's license.

The Teens in the Driver Seat program is shaped by students to encourage other teens to watch out for distracted drivers. The students are responsible for implementing the program and educating their peers and parents about the dangers of distracted driving or dangerous behavior while driving. It emphasizes teen peer-to-peer communication to help reinforce good driving practices.

The ambassadors wanted to help because, although Army Medicine stresses medical safety and quality in their medical treatment facilities, most teens are perfectly healthy, except for injury risk. Serious injuries for teens mostly occur on the road behind the wheel.

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.

Six teens between 16 and 19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.

Fortunately, motor vehicle crashes involving teen drivers are preventable, and proven strategies can improve the safety of young drivers on the road. And proper safety habits can be contagious. Staff Sgt. Washington said that the teens taught him that there were safety issues he needed to be aware of in his own home, not just behind the wheel of a car.

The Ambassadors worked with the students to determine what would most likely affect their safe driving. Student drivers were monitored for seatbelt use and most of all for cell phone use while driving a car.

Staff Sgt. King said, "It was an important program. Not just for the teens in high school but for everyone."

This was about more than teaching teens, said Staff Sgt. King.

Privately owned vehicle accidents are a serious matter for Soldiers as well as students. Vehicle crashes are the top factor in accident deaths of Soldiers. During the summer, accidents on the road increase as people travel more often and for longer distances. Soldiers should review safe driving practices such as wearing seat belts, driving sober, obeying posted speed limits, and not driving distracted (especially using cell phones which is illegal in many states), and to avoid driving while fatigued. Soldiers should always wear required motorcycle safety gear, as well.

As part of the campaign the Soldiers participated in the Zero Crazy Challenge. The purpose of the Zero Crazy Challenge is to improve different safety measures, such as seat belt use, and watching out for distracted drivers. Great emphasis was placed on avoiding distracted driving.

Army Medicine Ambassador Program is a strategic engagement initiative and formal program to tell the Army Medicine and Army Health Readiness story. The Program enhances relationships with students, the rest of the military, business and civic leaders, academia, industry, family readiness groups, and foreign dignitaries through positive and informative engagements.

Army Medicine Ambassadors highlight the fact that Army Medicine is America's premiere medical team, and share good news about Army Medicine and the service they provide to our Soldiers, their families and the communities they live in and serve.

The Army Medicine Ambassador Program continues to be an important communication tool that informs Soldiers, family members and community leaders on the important mission Army Medicine has and the services it provides.

On the safe driving topic, Staff Sgt. King said safe driving is not just for the young. "Tell your adult friends they need to drive safe as well."