April 2022 News & Updates |
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Photo courtesy of Burlington Free Press |
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Greetings!
A surprise mid-April snowfall left some of us calling the season "fake spring". Good weather seems to be elusive so far. Summer-fun vehicles have emerged from storage units (mine included) but are waiting impatiently for top-down weather.
One of VHSA's favorite spring events is our annual outreach event for Vermont high school students. The awards ceremony was held on April 27th, and more than a dozen students won awards ranging from a restaurant gift card to $1,000 in cash. This was a fun project for everyone involved--the students showed great creativity and thoughtfulness in getting the message out as to the dangers of distracted driving. Read on...
In just a few weeks we'll be co-hosting the "Know Your Limit: Impaired Driving Summit"--an event that's been more than a year in the making. I look forward to seeing and meeting many of you in Killington.
Sue Hoxie, Executive Director
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#SafeDrivesSaveLivesVT PSA Contest Winners |
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In conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the VHSA hosted its fourth video public service announcement contest. The contest was open to high-school students and designed to encourage young drivers and their friends and peers to avoid distracted driving. The award ceremony was held on April 27th and included a special video message to the student contestants from VTrans Secretary Joe Flynn.
The goal for contestants was to research this important issue and produce a compelling 25-second video to enact change and spread the message to peers and the public that distracted driving is unacceptable and can have serious consequences. The VHSA hopes that videos produced by high-school students offer a relatable perspective for other young drivers. Finalists and winners were selected from the 52 entries submitted.
In the coming weeks we'll be posting the winning videos on VHSA's Facebook page. Share your favorites on your own social networks and applaud these students' hard work!
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Last Chance! Register for the Vermont Impaired Driving Summit |
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We're excited to announce that our luncheon speaker will be Vermont Health's Commissioner Mark Levine. Dr. Levine will be talking about the intersection of public health and public safety. He is part of a great line-up of nationally recognized speakers and local experts.
We are meeting in person at the Killington Grand Resort & Conference Center.
Wednesday, May 11 - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Haven't signed up for Know Your Limit: Vermont Impaired Driving Summit? Click on the registration link below to reserve your seat.
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Webinar Series: The Road to Mobility for Older Drivers |
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We are all aging! But as we age, we may also experience changes in vision, physical fitness, and slower reflexes which may cause safety concerns.
In this webinar series hosted by the Vermont Department of Health, they will explore how we can all play a role and take action in keeping older Vermonters safe, mobile, and independent while also ensuring our roadways are safe and our communities are accessible and livable for all.
This webinar series is presented free in partnership with AARP Vermont, Vermont Highway Safety Alliance, University of Vermont Medical Center, the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, and the Vermont Department of Health.
Wednesday, May 25, 12 p.m.
Law Enforcement: Your Role in Older Driver Safety
n 2018, there were more than 45 million licensed drivers aged 65 and older in the United States. This number is expected to increase as our population ages. Law enforcement officers must understand and address the needs of the older driver population, interact efficiently and appropriately respond to challenges to highway safety. In this webinar, you will learn about how to engage older drivers in a thoughtful manner, how to use a roadside screening tool, and where to refer older drivers for more resources to keep them, and our roadways, safe.
Speakers:
- Kevin Geno, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Rutland County Sheriff's Department
- Patrick McManamon, Education Unit Supervisor, Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
- John Flannigan, State Coordinator at Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council
- Stephanie Busch, Injury Prevention Manager, Vermont Department of Health
- Allie Breyer, Information Director, Vermont Department of Health (MC)
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Vermont Walk/Bike Summit
May 5, 2022
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Become A Child Passenger Safety Tech |
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Interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician? There are several opportunities around the state to become certified.
- St. Albans: May 4-7
- Montpelier: July 22, 23, 29, 30
Additional classes may be added in Rutland and Springfield.
As a Child Passenger Safety Technician, you not only help keep children safe but you get to interact with caregivers and with CPSTs from, police, fire, EMS, hospitals, child care centers, etc. The certification class is a national certification and there are requirements that need to be met every two years to recertify. The Vermont Department of Health will pay for all of your certification and recertification fees.
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NHTSA Awareness Campaigns |
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NHTSA’s targeted awareness campaigns give the traffic safety community the
chance to emphasize one message in a unified way across the country during a
specific period of time. Each campaign has associated materials that can be
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Information Sharing: Reports, Studies & Newsletters |
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Webinar: Hosted by USDOT on May 2nd: "Getting Ready for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program - Counties, Cities, Towns, Other Special Districts That Are Subdivisions of a State, and Transit Agencies." Register here.
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Get links to relevant articles and news stories. Share posts during enforcement periods. See VHSA at community outreach events, and enjoy an occasional chuckle. All in an effort to educate folks about highway safety initiatives. Like us on Facebook.
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