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Niagara Falls hosts regional traffic safety program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY. --  The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station hosts the Niagara Regional Traffic Safety Program. This two week educational program provides a unique and innovative approach to teaching young drivers from area high schools the importance of safe driving techniques and habits.

Throughout the day students are taught the dangers of drinking and driving and have the opportunity to hear from many guest speakers including victims of distracted drivers. These presentations allow the students to hear firsthand from those whose lives have been affected by distracted driving.

In addition to the established demonstrations by the New York State Police and Niagara County Sheriff's Department, this year students from the Niagara County Community College Theatre Arts Department performed a 30-minute show entitled "It Can Wait" a reference to the issue of texting while driving. The College was awarded a grant from the Allstate Foundation's Teen Safe Driving Project, to develop this piece. Written work was solicited from the NCCC student body on the topic, and the Theatre students worked for several weeks transforming the writing into a show, which includes music, dance and scenes depicting the consequences of texting while driving.

Hosted by the base since its inception, this entire program is a collaborative effort of various local, state and federal agencies working together to create a lasting impression for these young adults, many of them new drivers themselves. It is also strategically held during the time surrounding prom season for most area schools.

This year's media event highlights the popular 30 mph side impact crash and also allows the media to view many of the other speakers and events.

"We are proud to continue to host this most important event in the WNY area," said Col. Allan Swartzmiller, installation commander. "Our young people are our future and we need to provide them with the necessary tools of knowledge to make that intelligent decision not to drink and drive."


See the crash here
See NCC perform here