Homecoming: A First Hand Lesson in Driving Safety

Fall means a lot of things to a high school teenager–back to school, football games, and, of course, homecoming. During this season, an Illinois high school is reminding students about driving safety – firsthand. Students take turns getting behind the wheel while impaired. An obstacle course is set up on the football field. Teens drive a golf cart while wearing goggles designed to simulate driving at or near the legal limit for blood alcohol. Orange cones designate people. For every cone the driver hits, it means one injured or killed person. The student body watches from the bleachers while their classmates go on this “dangerous drive.”

Teens said they could immediately tell the difference when wearing the goggles; it was hard to see clearly. When “impaired” the students hit on average 5 cones. Imagine watching 100 students take this test. Now, fast-forward to homecoming night; the same students are involved, only this time they have been drinking and they are driving on our roadways.

While the focus of this road test is on drunk driving, it is important to remind teens of the dangers of many additional driving behaviors and/or distractions, including texting and talking on a cell phone. Teens – don’t let your homecoming turn into a nightmare by making the poor choices, while driving, of drinking, taking drugs, speeding, driving recklessly, and not wearing a seatbelt. Parents – remind your teens to buckle up, even if it means a wrinkle in the dress, drive safely, don’t drink or ride with someone who has been drinking, and avoid all driving distractions. Remind your teens that it is up to them. The consequences depend on the choices they make. Here are a few reminders:

Distractions – Avoid distractions while driving. A quick text message or phone call can wait until you arrive at the game or dance.

Speeding – Don’t rush! Make sure you allow extra time to reach your destination

Seatbelts – Make sure you and all passengers buckle up before you put the car in drive.

Drinking and Driving – Simply, don’t! Drinking makes you stupid. It can also make you dead.

Lawsuit Financial wants to remind teens to be safe whether celebrating a won football game or attending the homecoming dance.

Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life funding is needed during litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.