Juniors and seniors at Cañon City High School had so much fun Tuesday during the ThinkFast Interactive presentation, they probably didn't notice they were learning some valuable life-saving information.
ThinkFast Interactive is an innovative and science-based program that moves beyond traditional education. The program guides students to identify myths and gaps in their knowledge about safety and then quickly follows up with credible information. Students are visibly rewarded with praise, points and prizes for knowing safety information.
ThinkFast Interactive is set up like a big-time TV game show, complete with an energetic MC/host, full production set, a DJ spinning popular mainstream music, and informative, engaging trivia. The trivia is comprised of Colorado's rules, regulations and penalties with a heavy dose of distracted driving information, and it's combined with age relevant academic and pop culture questions. This innovative interactive game show is played by teens in teams using multi digit wireless remotes.
The high-energy, fast-paced game show was sponsored by the Colorado Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Drive Smart Fremont County Coalition. The initiative gives teen drivers the knowledge of what puts them at risk, and what research shows can help keep them safe.
"One of the biggest offenses we see with teens in our community is failing to follow their Graduated Driver Licensing laws," said Sgt. Clint Robertson of the Cañon City Police Department. "They are having people inside their vehicles they are not authorized to have."
The first six months of being licensed, they are not permitted to have passengers other than family members, and from six months to a year, they are allowed to have one passenger. Robertson said it's important to make sure teen drivers know the importance of limiting distractions, like having their authorized passenger hold their cell phone while they are driving.
"Kids think in the here and now, and we're trying to get them to think one step ahead and make great choices when they get behind the wheel," said NancyBartkowiak, trauma quality specialist at St. Thomas More Hospital and member of the Drive Smart Fremont County Coalition.
Drive Smart Fremont County Coalition members include American Medical Response, Cañon City Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Florence Police Department, Fremont County Head Start, Fremont County Sheriff's Office, St. Thomas More Hospital, Southern Colorado RETAC and Starpoint.
For more information, visit http://stoptextsstopwrecks.org or on Facebook, search for ThinkFast Interactive.
Carie Canterbury: 719-276-7643, firstname.lastname@example.org