FRANKFORT, Ky. – Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. That’s why the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are teaming up to promote safe driving practices during National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 15-20.  

“Young drivers are twice as likely as adults to be killed in a car crash,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “Driver distraction, lack of experience and skill, drugs and alcohol, and the lack of seatbelt usage all contribute to the high number of fatalities among teen drivers. We have to reach out to teens in their own language so that they will hear the safety messages that could save their lives.”

To do just that, a traveling 40-minute multimedia show entitled “Take Two” will be shown to thousands of teenagers over the next few weeks.  The program uses technology and teen icons to merge driver safety messages and real life teen situations. “Take Two” puts students behind the scenes of a Hollywood production.  On a movie set, everyone gets a second chance—a second take. But in the real world there are not always second takes. “Take Two” uses a flood of fast-paced, power imagery to engage students.  Poignant stories of real young people; celebrity interviews; clips from major motion pictures; and a contemporary soundtrack that features the music students know all reinforce this real life lesson. “Take Two” also teaches the importance of making healthy choices, avoiding alcohol and other drug use and understanding the risks and responsibilities as new teen drivers. 

The multimedia presentation will be presented in the following schools over the next few weeks: 

Mon. 10/15       Heath High School, West Paducah at 9:00am and Murray High School, 2pm

Tues. 10/16      Warren East High, Bowling Green at 9:00am

Wed. 10/17     Glasgow High School, 8:30am

Thurs. 10/18     Pulaski Co. High School, Somerset at 8:30am and 9:30am

Fri. 10/19          Betsy Layne High School, Betsy Layne at 9:00am

Mon. 10/22     South Laurel High School, London at 2:00pm

Tues. 10/23      Henry Clay High School, Lexington at 1:30pm

Fri. 10/26          Bullitt East High School, Mt. Washington at 9:00am

Fri. 10/26          Bardstown High School, Bardstown at 1:15pm

Mon. 10/29       John Hardin High School YSC E'town, at 9:00am and 10:15am

Tues. 10/30       Henderson Co. Sr. High School, Henderson, at 1:00pm and 2:00pm

KYTC sponsors the multi-media show throughout the year, along with a host of other highway safety awareness efforts through its Department of Transportation Safety. The Department will also be conducting other activities throughout October to support teen driver safety, including:

Tues. & Wed. 10/16 & 10/17     Rollover Simulator at WKU

Thurs. 10/18     Fatal Vision Goggles and Seat belt display at Elizabethtown Community College Fall Festival

Fri. 10/ 19      Rollover Simulator at Hickman County High School

Mon. 10/22    Rollover Simulator at My Old Ky Home Middle School, Bardstown from 9:00 am -3:00 pm

Tues. 10/23   Rollover Simulator at Nelson Co. High and Bardstown High from 9:00am – 3:00 pm

Wed. 10/24   Rollover Simulator at Cumberland Co. Middle School from 8:00am – 3:00 pm

Wed. 10/24   Sweet 16 Presentation at Carroll Co. High, 2:00pm

Thurs. 10/25   Mock Crash at Onyx Job Corp Center from 8:00am-3:00pm

Fri. 10/26   Mock Crash at Carroll Co. High at 1:30pm

 “MADD Kentucky is proud to participate in Teen Driver Safety Week and to have the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sponsor this multi-media show,” said Angela Criswell, State Executive Director for MADD in Kentucky. “Thanks to this partnership, thousands of high school students will have the latest information about safe driving, the dangers of underage drinking and they will be able to recognize who is trying to influence the decisions they make.”