The West Greene School District has resurrected a life-saving program helping youth drivers. A few years ago, the Highway Safety Network contacted Driver’s Ed teacher, Matthew Rychtarsky, about their interest in restarting the Youth Traffic Safety Council. The program’s goal is saving lives through effective and creative highway safety programs. With the support of high school principal Scott Sakai, Rychtarsky formed a council of students to restart the program during the 2021-2022 school year.
The council meets several times throughout the year to discuss methods to reduce youth traffic accidents. During the winter, “the council met at the Eighty-Four PennDot building, where they heard from PennDot Plow Truck operators about driving safely around plow trucks… They also were able to see the plows up close, and even get up in the cab as they learned about how the vehicles operate and how the drivers have to pay close attention to their surroundings…” Rychtarsky says. Another meeting discussed how to maintain safe driving conditions within your own vehicles. Instructors taught students to check tire gauge pressure and given their own tire pressure gauges to keep.
Rychtarsky says, “I believe the best aspect of the Youth Traffic Safety Council is the students involved having the opportunity to learn about traffic safety and safe driving habits from various people, and also the council providing an opportunity for students [not on the council] within our school… to hear and learn about traffic safety topics from their peers.”
Recently, the Youth Traffic Safety Council met with a kindergarten class and read them “Clifford Takes a Walk.” The book teaches children how to be safe when walking around roadways. Members of the council have also entered a Highway Safety Network sponsored contest to design a billboard intended to reduce distracted driving. The council plans to make a version of their billboard contest entry to post around the school as well.
Before the prom last year, the council brought in a PA State Police Trooper to talk to students about underage drinking and distracted driving. The council wants to convey safety messages that are relevant now, as well as teach students a lifetime of safe decision making. These lessons are relatable to both students and adult drivers.
The Youth Safety Council currently has eight members and usually stays at about nine members. This number allows the students to travel in one school van and keep the cost of transportation for activities low. If a student is interested in joining the Youth Traffic Safety Council, they can contact Matthew Rychtarsky.
“It is my hope that we can grow our numbers of students that want to be involved and they will raise their voice about traffic safety and help influence their peers and community. While having a PA Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License is not a requirement, having one (or having a goal of seeking one when of age to do so) makes some efforts more meaningful and relevant.”
