Photo courtesy of Rider Magazine

After a year of start-stop-start planning, nearly 200 people gathered in Killington a few weeks ago for the Vermont Impaired Driving Summit. New acquaintances were made and friendships were renewed after not seeing each other for a year or two. The weather was perfect and food tasty.

The summit went off without a hitch and attendees heard great presentations from both local and nationally recognized speakers. If you would like a copy of any of the presenters' slide decks, please get in touch. 

Some of the feedback we received:

• Topics were very relevant to what we are facing in society and some of the challenges we need to focus on for the future.
• This was one of the most professional events I have attended in many years. Great location, delicious meal, beautiful venue, and excellent content and presentations. 

Thanks! Kudos go to the planning committee which included Barb Brody, VDTSEA; Dan Goodman, AAA Northern New England, Lt. Al Fortin, Chittenden County Sheriff's Office, Lt. Kevin Geno, Rutland County Sheriff's Department, Sgt. Jay Riggen, VSP; John Flannigan, Flannigan Safety; Sgt. Paul Ravelin, VSP; Rachel Noyes, SHSO; and Paul White, SHSO. 

The date, location, and topic for 2023's conference will be announced in the fall. 

Wednesday, June 29, 12 p.m.

Policymakers and Local Decision-Makers: Creating Safe & Livable Communities

Approximately 45 million Americans are age 65 or older. By 2030, that number will reach 73 million Americans. At that point, fully one in five Americans will be older than 65. By 2034, the United States will — for the first time ever — be a country comprised of more older adults than of children (AARP Livable Communities). Vermont is one of the fastest aging states in the nation. To support older people, local leaders, policymakers, organizations, businesses, planners, and community members must proactively prepare for the unique needs and challenges faced by an aging population. Supporting an aging population includes creating communities that are safe and walkable, with age-friendly transportation and housing options where older people can easily get to grocery stores, doctor’s appointments, other essential services, and fun community activities.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• How to advocate for and build more livable communities for all ages;
• What is a dementia-friendly community and how you can create supportive options for people living with dementia;
• Where to find funding opportunities for pedestrian and accessibility projects in your town or municipality,
• How to implement easy, low-cost projects to make your communities more walkable and accessible.

Speakers:

• Kelly Stoddard-Poor, Associate State Director, AARP Vermont
• Jon Kaplan, P.E., Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Tiffany Smith, Program Administrator, Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
• Allie Breyer, Information Director, Vermont Department of Health

Interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician? There are several opportunities around the state to become certified.

• 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.

Register here. 

Questions? Email Sid Bradley.

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

found at TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or at the specific links below.

May 23 - June 5: Click It or Ticket National Enforcement Mobilization

June 20: National Ride to Work Day

Press Releases: 

• From the GHSA: U.S. Traffic Deaths Reach a 16-Year High. Read here.
• From the GHSA: U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities Reach Highest Level in 40 Years. Read here.

Newsletter: SADD's May newsletter. Read here.