Transcripts For CSPAN2 Teen Road Safety Assessment Results R

Here to the National Press club. I am Monika Samtani and i will be your master of ceremonies this morning. I am the president and founder of news media, and international pr and Management Firm based here in washington, d. C. Personally as the mother of a new teen driver, and my third, this is my third time going to this this summer, and professionally as a former Television News reporter of Traffic Safety, it is been a passion of mine for years and im thrilled to be here this morning. For those of you who are new to fccla, its a National Student Led Organization that helps you develop leadership in workplace skills through family and Consumer Sciences in order to better prepare students for both college and or their careers. Fccla has over 160,000 student members in 5400 chapters across the nation and in puerto rico. Those numbers speak volumes about the reach in the impact of this organization. Fccla is unique among student organizations because its programs are planned and run by student members. Its the only career and technical in School Student organization with a central focus on family. One of fccla Signature Program focuses entirely on teen Traffic Safety. Today we are convened a group of subject Matter Experts and students to address an important question, as millions of families across the country prepare fo for the children to start a new school year, sccla asks the is road safety on your backtoschool checklist . Here to address that important question with the results of a new report is sccla executive director sandy spavone. Throughout her career the focus of the work is meant to provide programs and opportunities for youth to have leadership tools to take a concern and turn into action. She has developed national Youth Leadership Training Programs to address specific health and safety concerns and coordinated national campaigns. There is no better example of this in the work fccla is doing with keen our essays. Please join me in welcoming sandy spavone. [applause] thanthank you, monika. Good morning, everyone. Im pleased to talk to today about tranfourteen roadway Safety Assessment or as referred to them teen rsa participant led by family, career and Community Leaders of america as a result of our partnership state farm and we are very grateful to them for underwriting this project. State farm and fccla provides opportunities for youth to turn the concerns and actions and to make a difference in their communities. Families acting for committee Traffic Safety fax is the program that are chapters engage in to make a change and include these efforts. We asked him to look at whats important in the community to make a change and then conduct projects that address those. This past year our students lead peer to peer education projects across the country. Two of our National Officers are with us today. Our Vice President of programs and to rasmussen at a Vice President of Public Relations actually true. We are very happy to have then travel to be a today. They to talk to you afterwards and share more work in the local communities. With the rsa program the goal quite simply is to empower youth to take action in their communities and advocate for changes in infrastructure. We hear a lot about infrastructure from our nations leaders in these youth have taken that and understand what that means and have applied that to real change in the local community. We asked them to go out and read the roads and look at the roads are using. One of the best part i think of this project is it takes the attention away from them and puts it on some of the infrastructure pieces that also impact their safety. Teens can be done all the right thing, buckled up, the polka down the to be taking all steps we tell them to take but infrastructure is a very Important Role in their safety. So engage in view of looking at that has been a goal of this project. More than 1000 students in 71 schools took on this job and they went out and said it is the intersection our school safe . One of the safest places for our kids should be school and getting to school should be safe. I learned today most families spend 501 in getting the kids ready to go to school every year. I dont know i did that but thats what they do today. Imagine the time parents took to pick up the right backpack, the right shoe, the right outfit, how much time today can look at the roads they could to going to take going to school . Thats what this apodictic it helped the teenagers take a look at what those roads. Before we get too much into the depths of the results we want to show you a video those put together that illustrates this project. Use a lot of distracted driving. Is a great eyeopener to see what people are looking at. A couple intersections didnt have crossing signs. They had signs for a reason. Pretty dangerous situation out there. Todays teens fin on a varief ways to get around and while thetheaccess to numerous drivery programs as they prepare to get their licenses, there is not much to help them understand how to read the entire roadway system and understand how anyone who uses roads needs to see the bigger picture. What we want to do is help you, trained you come and get you ready to be able to read the road. Some of americas leading Traffic Safety organizations are working to change this by conducting teen roadway Safety Assessment. Also known as rsas. Two students examine the state is affected not only by driver behaviors but also by the design am signing Pavement Markings and of aspects of roadway infrastructure all contribute to the overall safety. Teens are thickly vulnerable to roadway dangers, and each year thousands die in car crashes. Although distraction and poor decisions are critical factors, they are often compounded by teens and experience and the inability to react to roadway conditions. We are teaching teens about the roadway and how important roadway safety infrastructure is. There are a lot of examples that we can give about signage and markings and needy and cable bears that save lives, prevent people from crossing over from one side of the roadway to the other. Educating people that these devices are lifesaving devices that can be installed by the roadway. This gives us a chance to apply math skills, the science skills, a lot of civics. One of the things i found great is a lot of these kids are interested in communication, the media. Being able to be out there and poise and able to share their views is tremendous. This program is open up the mines. They never thought about a career in engineering or transportation so i love it. The success of initial teen roadway Safety Assessment has led to a call for taking the program nationwide. Organizers encourage others in the Traffic Safety community to get involved with this groundbreaking program. Its an easy formula to replicate on the local level and your sponsorship of a teen rsa can bring a host of benefits. Each with up to other people at the Grassroots Level working hard every day to bring about the changes in education and transportation safety. Lets see, it says time remaining to finish crossing. This is a very highly trafficked area we need a lot of improvement, especially with the markings on the ground where people are supposed acrostics of people dont always Pay Attention to them and that we need brighter lights on the sign of people can become more aware so that they can see when people are supposed to cross, we did not supposed to cost and when they should be driving. Exposing the teams infrastructure and helping them understand thats part of the pyramid for their safety and what theyre hearing on the news locally about infrastructure in georgia, that its not just on the interstate pickets in the local communities were infrastructure is just as important. As a Committee Member they can play a role as being observant of Highway Safety infrastructure needs and advocate for change what they need to. Makes them better drivers. Make some more aware of what is around them, and it contributes to the overall safety of roads in georgia. And were glad to have fccla National Leadership here today to in this and with the high school chapter. Rsas allow parents, teachers, elected officials and Community Leaders to help improve roadway safety, particularly for our teens. Ultimately this program is about keeping our teens safe pick you can be part of making that happen in making a difference in student lives. The bottom line is i believe in my heart we save some lives today. You may have noticed a person in that video thats been an snow from the beginning of helping us develop that and i like to recognize him today on his birthday, joe toole who is here with us. In two very much, joe. [applause] his passion for road safety has been inspirational as we develop this and you should help the youth understand how they can apply what they learn in the classroom into advocacy and making change the thank you very much for your dedication to this project are working with different Traffic Safety bargain we been able to engage in this project for over five years and its been very fun to see it grow from a concept into a fullscale project. As you saw, the student led efforts are an eyeopening opportunity to allow students through the lens of what they see as entirely different perspective on road safety. Instead of being told what to do, they are asked the perspective and what makes intersection safe and are given a platform to educate their peers. The analysis of Data Collected and just this as your long fccla student as part of this initiative heres what we learned. I majority, 73 of fccla high School Students recently evaluated the intersections near their schools in 22 states across the country felt unsafe using the intersection that they, their friends and family members use every day going to school. 40 of the schools reported their school pedestrian crosswalk were not painted properly. 47 of schools reported that their crosswalk signal did not allow an adequate amount of time to safely cross the street. I saw that personally when we did one of these with students literally running across the intersection to get across, and they been purposely trained themselves to go fast so the cut across before the light changed. So there advocating for those light timings to be changed for the school. Only 9 of the schools reported to have crossing guards, and only 19 of areas near schools were properly marked a school zone areas. These numbers are alarming at least but at this point id like to turn the floor over to some of my colleagues in the Traffic Safety world who can address importance of this type appear to be education from their perspective. Thank you so much, sandy. As we just learned that teen rsa Initiative Works to educate students about how roadway Engineering Design and infrastructure affects the safety of all road users, drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles as will appear here to tell us more about the boards of these efforts is one of our subject matter expert, greg cohen, executive director of the roadway safety foundation. Greg. [applause] thanthank you, monika, and tk you, sandy. And its a pleasure to be here. Fccla has provided wonderful leadership in bridging the worlds of Civil Engineering and youth environment. I know many people might not see that as an obvious connection but what better way to help teens supply the science and math principles that they learn in the classroom, but to serve their communities and to save lives . As you heard my name is greg cohen. I am a licensed professional engineer. Most of the active executive director of a nonprofit look at just a few blocks away from here. Our mission is to move the United States towards zero deaths by promoting safer road designs and datadriven safety planning. Like many of our partners, we envision a nation free of traffic the titles and serious injuries and were working hard to achieve that within 30 years. At the core of this effort is aa commitment to whats known as the state Systems Approach for the recognition that humans no matter how well trained and intention make mistakes. And all of much of the system the driver, the vehicle, the road, the roadside, that all must be designed to ensure those mistakes are never fail or incapacitating. Thats why were so enthusiastic and supporting the teen rsa concept . And why weve been pleased to participate in assessment as a part of sccla across the country over several years. Unfortunately despite record high rates of seat belt use, the best in the safest engineered cars that we never had the term distracted driving takes its rightful place in the national lexicon along with drunk driving. We are still seeing traffic fatalities going up and the fact where reversing a lot of the progress thats been made. When not 100 sure why that is occurring but much of the progress weve made in the last 20 years is being erased as we speak. As an example, may be a terribly unfortunate example that were here, the people who are going to die on the roads around the country. 13 people. Among those, you will be overrepresented. This is the number one killer of youth up to age 34 in this country. So there are many reasons for this, but among them is the continued presence of road deficiencies. We know that because good roads have less steps than bad road. When you have roadside hazards, obsolete designs and other physical dangers, they baked bak right into the system itself. Unprotected roadside ditches, trees and utility poles within inches of the pavement, poorly aligned intersections and the list goes on. These are just common sight on the road around the country. They guarantee a traffic crash isnt a question of if but when. These dangers are big part of the reason that about 52 against traffic deaths take place in rural areas where speeds are higher and noninterstate roadways often lack shoulders, clear zones, beaten designs and other safety treatments. The safest fivestar car we had is still the match for a one star road. Especially at high speeds. Thats why we stand in awe to date the great work sccla chapters have accomplished. Who better to take a critical eye towards the safety schools and then the students, faculty and staff the drive, walk and bike them every day . Who better to bring into the safety conversation and the team who already have years of experience biking and walking on the road and now bring fresh eyes as new drivers and market on a lifetime of safe mobility . We believe its a site is willing to give drivers license to teens it also needs to be willing to step up and provide the safest possible i fiber with which of those teams will learn to navigate the roads. It is not enough for adults who survived high risk teen driving gears to simply admonished teenagers do not behave in certain ways and throw their hands and criticize. We must walk the walk together and invest in the lifesaving crash countermeasures and systemic improvement that we know all road users can appreciate and help us achieve a nation of zero deaths. Who knows, maybe some of the students have opened their eyes to the world of infrastructure and state systems through the sccla teen rsa work will go on to become the next generation civil engineers. And policymakers who implement the next generation of Safety Technologies that will finally achieve our aspirational goal. Thanks very much. [applause] thank youthank you, greg, for great work as well. Fortunate not have the opportunity to hear directly from a student representing her sccla chapter of the Union High School in big stone gap, virginia. The students there not only conduct an rsa but took it to the next level and successfully advocated for change within their community. Im happy to welcome Madison Collins, sccla chapter president from Junior High School and her advisor, family and Consumer Sciences teacher connie carico. She has taught family and Consumer Sciences for 35 years. Thank you for your decades of dedication to students in your community. We cant wait to hear firsthand about the work you did near your school to make it a safer place for everyone on the road. [applause] my name is Madison Collins not proud to be representing students and Union High School. Our sccla chapter was excited conduct a teen rsa this past you. Where do idea what an exciting adventure were about to embark on. We received a copy of a case study and that tells all story but heres some of the highlights. Being from a small tent we have three School Districts and an intersection close to each other on a main road. You have parents, student drivers, school buses and members of the committee all sharing a busy road during school dropoff and pickup times. Imagine all this traffic moving through a congested school area every day with no stoplight or any type of National Press<\/a> club. I am Monika Samtani<\/a> and i will be your master of ceremonies this morning. I am the president and founder of news media, and international pr and Management Firm<\/a> based here in washington, d. C. Personally as the mother of a new teen driver, and my third, this is my third time going to this this summer, and professionally as a former Television News<\/a> reporter of Traffic Safety<\/a>, it is been a passion of mine for years and im thrilled to be here this morning. For those of you who are new to fccla, its a National Student<\/a> Led Organization<\/a> that helps you develop leadership in workplace skills through family and Consumer Sciences<\/a> in order to better prepare students for both college and or their careers. Fccla has over 160,000 student members in 5400 chapters across the nation and in puerto rico. Those numbers speak volumes about the reach in the impact of this organization. Fccla is unique among student organizations because its programs are planned and run by student members. Its the only career and technical in School Student<\/a> organization with a central focus on family. One of fccla Signature Program<\/a> focuses entirely on teen Traffic Safety<\/a>. Today we are convened a group of subject Matter Experts<\/a> and students to address an important question, as millions of families across the country prepare fo for the children to start a new school year, sccla asks the is road safety on your backtoschool checklist . Here to address that important question with the results of a new report is sccla executive director sandy spavone. Throughout her career the focus of the work is meant to provide programs and opportunities for youth to have leadership tools to take a concern and turn into action. She has developed national Youth Leadership<\/a> Training Programs<\/a> to address specific health and safety concerns and coordinated national campaigns. There is no better example of this in the work fccla is doing with keen our essays. Please join me in welcoming sandy spavone. [applause] thanthank you, monika. Good morning, everyone. Im pleased to talk to today about tranfourteen roadway Safety Assessment<\/a> or as referred to them teen rsa participant led by family, career and Community Leaders<\/a> of america as a result of our partnership state farm and we are very grateful to them for underwriting this project. State farm and fccla provides opportunities for youth to turn the concerns and actions and to make a difference in their communities. Families acting for committee Traffic Safety<\/a> fax is the program that are chapters engage in to make a change and include these efforts. We asked him to look at whats important in the community to make a change and then conduct projects that address those. This past year our students lead peer to peer education projects across the country. Two of our National Officers<\/a> are with us today. Our Vice President<\/a> of programs and to rasmussen at a Vice President<\/a> of Public Relations<\/a> actually true. We are very happy to have then travel to be a today. They to talk to you afterwards and share more work in the local communities. With the rsa program the goal quite simply is to empower youth to take action in their communities and advocate for changes in infrastructure. We hear a lot about infrastructure from our nations leaders in these youth have taken that and understand what that means and have applied that to real change in the local community. We asked them to go out and read the roads and look at the roads are using. One of the best part i think of this project is it takes the attention away from them and puts it on some of the infrastructure pieces that also impact their safety. Teens can be done all the right thing, buckled up, the polka down the to be taking all steps we tell them to take but infrastructure is a very Important Role<\/a> in their safety. So engage in view of looking at that has been a goal of this project. More than 1000 students in 71 schools took on this job and they went out and said it is the intersection our school safe . One of the safest places for our kids should be school and getting to school should be safe. I learned today most families spend 501 in getting the kids ready to go to school every year. I dont know i did that but thats what they do today. Imagine the time parents took to pick up the right backpack, the right shoe, the right outfit, how much time today can look at the roads they could to going to take going to school . Thats what this apodictic it helped the teenagers take a look at what those roads. Before we get too much into the depths of the results we want to show you a video those put together that illustrates this project. Use a lot of distracted driving. Is a great eyeopener to see what people are looking at. A couple intersections didnt have crossing signs. They had signs for a reason. Pretty dangerous situation out there. Todays teens fin on a varief ways to get around and while thetheaccess to numerous drivery programs as they prepare to get their licenses, there is not much to help them understand how to read the entire roadway system and understand how anyone who uses roads needs to see the bigger picture. What we want to do is help you, trained you come and get you ready to be able to read the road. Some of americas leading Traffic Safety<\/a> organizations are working to change this by conducting teen roadway Safety Assessment<\/a>. Also known as rsas. Two students examine the state is affected not only by driver behaviors but also by the design am signing Pavement Markings<\/a> and of aspects of roadway infrastructure all contribute to the overall safety. Teens are thickly vulnerable to roadway dangers, and each year thousands die in car crashes. Although distraction and poor decisions are critical factors, they are often compounded by teens and experience and the inability to react to roadway conditions. We are teaching teens about the roadway and how important roadway safety infrastructure is. There are a lot of examples that we can give about signage and markings and needy and cable bears that save lives, prevent people from crossing over from one side of the roadway to the other. Educating people that these devices are lifesaving devices that can be installed by the roadway. This gives us a chance to apply math skills, the science skills, a lot of civics. One of the things i found great is a lot of these kids are interested in communication, the media. Being able to be out there and poise and able to share their views is tremendous. This program is open up the mines. They never thought about a career in engineering or transportation so i love it. The success of initial teen roadway Safety Assessment<\/a> has led to a call for taking the program nationwide. Organizers encourage others in the Traffic Safety<\/a> community to get involved with this groundbreaking program. Its an easy formula to replicate on the local level and your sponsorship of a teen rsa can bring a host of benefits. Each with up to other people at the Grassroots Level<\/a> working hard every day to bring about the changes in education and transportation safety. Lets see, it says time remaining to finish crossing. This is a very highly trafficked area we need a lot of improvement, especially with the markings on the ground where people are supposed acrostics of people dont always Pay Attention<\/a> to them and that we need brighter lights on the sign of people can become more aware so that they can see when people are supposed to cross, we did not supposed to cost and when they should be driving. Exposing the teams infrastructure and helping them understand thats part of the pyramid for their safety and what theyre hearing on the news locally about infrastructure in georgia, that its not just on the interstate pickets in the local communities were infrastructure is just as important. As a Committee Member<\/a> they can play a role as being observant of Highway Safety<\/a> infrastructure needs and advocate for change what they need to. Makes them better drivers. Make some more aware of what is around them, and it contributes to the overall safety of roads in georgia. And were glad to have fccla National Leadership<\/a> here today to in this and with the high school chapter. Rsas allow parents, teachers, elected officials and Community Leaders<\/a> to help improve roadway safety, particularly for our teens. Ultimately this program is about keeping our teens safe pick you can be part of making that happen in making a difference in student lives. The bottom line is i believe in my heart we save some lives today. You may have noticed a person in that video thats been an snow from the beginning of helping us develop that and i like to recognize him today on his birthday, joe toole who is here with us. In two very much, joe. [applause] his passion for road safety has been inspirational as we develop this and you should help the youth understand how they can apply what they learn in the classroom into advocacy and making change the thank you very much for your dedication to this project are working with different Traffic Safety<\/a> bargain we been able to engage in this project for over five years and its been very fun to see it grow from a concept into a fullscale project. As you saw, the student led efforts are an eyeopening opportunity to allow students through the lens of what they see as entirely different perspective on road safety. Instead of being told what to do, they are asked the perspective and what makes intersection safe and are given a platform to educate their peers. The analysis of Data Collected<\/a> and just this as your long fccla student as part of this initiative heres what we learned. I majority, 73 of fccla high School Student<\/a>s recently evaluated the intersections near their schools in 22 states across the country felt unsafe using the intersection that they, their friends and family members use every day going to school. 40 of the schools reported their school pedestrian crosswalk were not painted properly. 47 of schools reported that their crosswalk signal did not allow an adequate amount of time to safely cross the street. I saw that personally when we did one of these with students literally running across the intersection to get across, and they been purposely trained themselves to go fast so the cut across before the light changed. So there advocating for those light timings to be changed for the school. Only 9 of the schools reported to have crossing guards, and only 19 of areas near schools were properly marked a school zone areas. These numbers are alarming at least but at this point id like to turn the floor over to some of my colleagues in the Traffic Safety<\/a> world who can address importance of this type appear to be education from their perspective. Thank you so much, sandy. As we just learned that teen rsa Initiative Works<\/a> to educate students about how roadway Engineering Design<\/a> and infrastructure affects the safety of all road users, drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles as will appear here to tell us more about the boards of these efforts is one of our subject matter expert, greg cohen, executive director of the roadway safety foundation. Greg. [applause] thanthank you, monika, and tk you, sandy. And its a pleasure to be here. Fccla has provided wonderful leadership in bridging the worlds of Civil Engineering<\/a> and youth environment. I know many people might not see that as an obvious connection but what better way to help teens supply the science and math principles that they learn in the classroom, but to serve their communities and to save lives . As you heard my name is greg cohen. I am a licensed professional engineer. Most of the active executive director of a nonprofit look at just a few blocks away from here. Our mission is to move the United States<\/a> towards zero deaths by promoting safer road designs and datadriven safety planning. Like many of our partners, we envision a nation free of traffic the titles and serious injuries and were working hard to achieve that within 30 years. At the core of this effort is aa commitment to whats known as the state Systems Approach<\/a> for the recognition that humans no matter how well trained and intention make mistakes. And all of much of the system the driver, the vehicle, the road, the roadside, that all must be designed to ensure those mistakes are never fail or incapacitating. Thats why were so enthusiastic and supporting the teen rsa concept . And why weve been pleased to participate in assessment as a part of sccla across the country over several years. Unfortunately despite record high rates of seat belt use, the best in the safest engineered cars that we never had the term distracted driving takes its rightful place in the national lexicon along with drunk driving. We are still seeing traffic fatalities going up and the fact where reversing a lot of the progress thats been made. When not 100 sure why that is occurring but much of the progress weve made in the last 20 years is being erased as we speak. As an example, may be a terribly unfortunate example that were here, the people who are going to die on the roads around the country. 13 people. Among those, you will be overrepresented. This is the number one killer of youth up to age 34 in this country. So there are many reasons for this, but among them is the continued presence of road deficiencies. We know that because good roads have less steps than bad road. When you have roadside hazards, obsolete designs and other physical dangers, they baked bak right into the system itself. Unprotected roadside ditches, trees and utility poles within inches of the pavement, poorly aligned intersections and the list goes on. These are just common sight on the road around the country. They guarantee a traffic crash isnt a question of if but when. These dangers are big part of the reason that about 52 against traffic deaths take place in rural areas where speeds are higher and noninterstate roadways often lack shoulders, clear zones, beaten designs and other safety treatments. The safest fivestar car we had is still the match for a one star road. Especially at high speeds. Thats why we stand in awe to date the great work sccla chapters have accomplished. Who better to take a critical eye towards the safety schools and then the students, faculty and staff the drive, walk and bike them every day . Who better to bring into the safety conversation and the team who already have years of experience biking and walking on the road and now bring fresh eyes as new drivers and market on a lifetime of safe mobility . We believe its a site is willing to give drivers license to teens it also needs to be willing to step up and provide the safest possible i fiber with which of those teams will learn to navigate the roads. It is not enough for adults who survived high risk teen driving gears to simply admonished teenagers do not behave in certain ways and throw their hands and criticize. We must walk the walk together and invest in the lifesaving crash countermeasures and systemic improvement that we know all road users can appreciate and help us achieve a nation of zero deaths. Who knows, maybe some of the students have opened their eyes to the world of infrastructure and state systems through the sccla teen rsa work will go on to become the next generation civil engineers. And policymakers who implement the next generation of Safety Technologies<\/a> that will finally achieve our aspirational goal. Thanks very much. [applause] thank youthank you, greg, for great work as well. Fortunate not have the opportunity to hear directly from a student representing her sccla chapter of the Union High School<\/a> in big stone gap, virginia. The students there not only conduct an rsa but took it to the next level and successfully advocated for change within their community. Im happy to welcome Madison Collins<\/a>, sccla chapter president from Junior High School<\/a> and her advisor, family and Consumer Sciences<\/a> teacher connie carico. She has taught family and Consumer Sciences<\/a> for 35 years. Thank you for your decades of dedication to students in your community. We cant wait to hear firsthand about the work you did near your school to make it a safer place for everyone on the road. [applause] my name is Madison Collins<\/a> not proud to be representing students and Union High School<\/a>. Our sccla chapter was excited conduct a teen rsa this past you. Where do idea what an exciting adventure were about to embark on. We received a copy of a case study and that tells all story but heres some of the highlights. Being from a small tent we have three School Districts<\/a> and an intersection close to each other on a main road. You have parents, student drivers, school buses and members of the committee all sharing a busy road during school dropoff and pickup times. Imagine all this traffic moving through a congested school area every day with no stoplight or any type of Traffic Safety<\/a> infrastructure. It was not safe. We decide to do something about it. We conducted a teen rsa. First we surveyed students and teachers in the recorded traffic patterns at the intersection near our school. Those federal regulations there are hundreds of pages long. Its like we were looking for a needle in haystack. She found that needle. As long as we could show that was part of a main thoroughfare and imagery that at least 1,000 vehicles a go through the intersection we would not be a well to able to meet federal regulations. One thing we knew for sure the frequency and severity of the accidents. The last thing we wanted was to wait until several dangerous accidents took place in order to create a change. We ask ourselves which one of our classmates we lose if nothing was done and which one may be saved if we act now. Thank you to the state. We did not had to meet that criteria. The next challenge money. Although we were excited to have them with federal guidelines we quickly found out how expensive it is. On top of that the electricity to run it cost 7,000 per year. Given the traffic patterns in our school we found out that we would need at least two traffic laws. Let me tell you for an area that has been hit hard. That can do money is nearly impossible. Some of them have already left the area. We were down but not out. Were going to let them finish the story. First of all its a very humbling experience to be here and to hear what you all have been doing for so long. We want to start out by thinking the schools for putting together the competition that we want have there not been standards in criteria and their we would not had known to meet them or how to set the goals to get where we were. I me to be honest there were times when we wanted to give up. When everybody said that nothings can happen and nothing can be done but there did remain the question which child . When i wanted to give up. The other students had no way. And when they wanted tqu there was no way that we were giving out over the past several months these students have learned about the ultimate leadership experience. They had advocated for change and a powerful coalition of supporters has made the impossible reality. Union high School Student<\/a>s teachers, administrators and state farm agents meet with our representatives. The Severance Committee<\/a>. Our town council into town managers. They had worked towards achieving a common goal. It meant everybody have to sit down together. We have to quit thinking about our own agendas and we have to look at what needed to be done and try to find common solutions. The students have listened to the experts and they came to understand that around about costing about a hundred and 30,000 less than it single traffic light was both a safer and more affordable solution. I have to tell you when someone first suggested around about i spent two days marching up and down the hallways same as a dumbest thing i ever heard. But it didnt take long if we honestly looked at the research and we listened to what was there. It was the only solution that was work. A member of our School Board Im<\/a> sorry his wife was a member of our school board for a long time. The board of supervisors in a member of the Severance Committee<\/a> said that when our students cared enough to count cars how can we say no. It was beyond the budget. They were able to obtain hundred 26,000 from the Severance Committee<\/a> normally the cost about 320,000 to build but they have a hundred 26,000 available. It was approved by the board of supervisors and thanks to joey mullen. They design and supervise the building of our roundabout it was safer. The Ribbon Cutting<\/a> ceremony was held last week. We have not held dash mike had a have a single accident. Our students also volunteered and it educates students and the public on how to navigate the new roundabout. They are smoothed around roundabouts. To figure out how to do this. This has been is been an incredible experience for Union High School<\/a>. Our students have led the way to creating a safe environment for everyone. We hope our story can set an example for the positive change that you can create in the communities across the country. I would like to close the remarks. To be willing to work together. Also estimates have learned they know they as individuals can make a difference. Also, the people at the local level i would like to thank them. We know where it was tireless. They were encouraging us with all of those people who donated. A lot of people made this happen. I dont think it is required. We just want to thank you for allowing us to be here. Thank you you have inspired us with the tenacity and commitment in keeping your community safe. To think about that. The Safety Services<\/a> association. As president and ceo. Thirty years of experience. Eighty fsa. They had been recognized for leading the way. For the safety on a national stage. If they impact those efforts. Roger. [applause]. Good morning is really a pleasure to join you in the leadership at this briefing to highlight the groups outstanding work. Im especially pleased that they are continuing a program that was first highlighted at the annual meeting in tampa. Without his expertise and assistance that Pilot Program<\/a> would never happen. With the advanced safety features. It improved efficiencies to the unacceptably high numbers of this. We also tell teens how to act as we advise them not to text and drive or even text while crossing a roadway. The safety assistance. They learn more about what a safe and unsafe on our travel ways. It not only raises teen awareness. But also gives them an opportunity to act as Community Advocates<\/a> for a great cause saving lives on our roadway. Its appropriate that they focus their efforts on school areas to which they travel to and from most of the year. And you guys are really to be congratulated on the work that you did. Thats exactly how supposed to work. There are many ways the students travel to School Including<\/a> bus, transit auto and bicycle. I like to take a minute and focus on the most vulnerable traveler the pedestrian. The center for Disease Control<\/a> and prevention has a number of statistics that should be of concern to all of us. In 20155376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the nine seats. This averages to one crash related Pedestrian Fatality<\/a> every 1. 6 hours. With the injuries there. One in every five children under the age of 15 who were killed in a traffic crash was a pedestrian. Just a couple of more statistics. They decreased 16 . They now represent 15 of all fatalities and 70 of those are in our urban areas. While the data do not tell us how many of those are School Related<\/a> a simple internet search will reveal the names of too many families who had lost loved ones was called out schools on spirit they should not be at risk when they walk or bicycle from school. To make their path to school safer. We are the tools to make that environment safer. The federal highway ministration. They can influence behavior as they approach these areas. The crossing signs that tell the driver to stop annealed for pedestrians. With the stop or yield sign. And they had been proven to increase the driver behavior. Highintensity cross walk begins. And the hawk crossing begin have proven to slow them down in crossing areas. They can be enhanced by illuminated outlines or led lights. In addition to traditional reflected materials. I would be remiss if i didnt recognize the actual work to be done by the federal highway ministration through the safe transportation for every pedestrian or step program under the every day counts initiative. We have ways to make travel to school safer what we need our advocates to make sure they are used in used properly. They should be recognized for volunteering their time and their local community. All which brings us closer to the ultimate goal of moving towards zero deaths. Thank you. Thank you so much for helping to complete the picture. The efforts all help us to achieve the larger goal. Thank you so much for that. At this point i would like to ask cd to return to the podium we learned a lot this morning and sandy will help us to know this information to a call to action we can take a back to our own communities. What an exciting day. The work of the youth across the country. Its very humbling and this is an hurtful time job. They stood up for change. Is not the end. Every parent as they prepare their student that they not just get them the best backpack in the best. And the best. Shoes but actually look at the pathway that the students are going to use. Engage with all of the Community Leaders<\/a>. And maybe too expensive as the answer but we can do this together. So thank you to the youth here today. That this can happen. And thank you to the experts i have given us the tools in the resources to be able to do that. I want to think again state farm for underwriting this project. So that they could collect that. As we leave today and look forward we hope that this is just the beginning all of it comes down to us in the family. Whether its a son or your daughter. Or students using those roads everyone is safe and that we all take the safest roads to school. That you leave your inspired. Our motto is due with you and not to you. They are ready and waiting and well hard to tell them no. Engage them when youre looking for change. Thank you very much. [applause]. If anyone has questions for the penal. We will take those now. Im just curious to know what sort of concrete steps that parents are interested in improving roadway safety. In their communities. Our group has a Community Toolkit<\/a> called the roadway safety guide which is a comprehensive stepbystep way to get involved. Teachers and non engineers and everything that they need to know about how to assess a road what kind of improvements are possible where you can get the money who you can talk to phone numbers and email addresses. For the youth i think sandy you have an Amazing Program<\/a> that anything every school. So programs like this serve an opportunity for the viewers to urge their School Administrators<\/a> to get involved in this project. I agree. One of the inside pieces of this projects. The first time i visit this. And not just drive through or walkthrough. Theyre open to some of the areas that may be at risk for you. I encourage all parents to drive that route at the same time that your student may be using that road to make sure its the safest route. See that. Look around. It is an area that they could take a right on red. So go through with their eyes and take that time to be introspective and look at that. My question to you would be more about sce la. And how students or parents can bring the program into their schools. Stanley Career Community<\/a> leaders. Is based in the courses and middle schools and high schools all around the country. If you go to your local middle school or high school and find out who your teacher is and if they are engaged there we had 5400 teachers out there who had decided to take that extra step and engage their youth and empower them than they are the way to find that. When she went there so she started a tester. They can get engage and help that happen. It will be happy to help get that a lot of other programs that we partner with. I know we mentioned this offcamera. My 22 schools. We put this project out. And we want to engage in that. We expect to see more schools engaged as well. Joe and his wife they gave an award to the chapter that sent in a project and that helped the students also tell us about what they have done. Thank you. Thank you all. [applause]. [inaudible] some lawmakers are taking a stance on confederate statues. Cory booker said hes going to introduce a bill to remove that are statues from the u. S. Cap about. Removing the statue is just one step. We much work to do. They are calling for House Speaker<\/a> paul ryan to join democrats supporting legislation. Meanwhile President Trump<\/a> tweeted support tonight on cspan two book tv in prime time looks at manufacturing and labor. They talk about his experiences working in the u. S. Service sector. How may help you. The former fast food executive on his book job creation. The journalist. Amy goldstein with the closing of the gm plant in janesville wisconsin. Book tv in prime time all this week on cspan two. At 8 00 p. M. Eastern. An indepth look at the opioid pandemic what is different about this drug problem that we have is how pervasive it is. It is absolutely everywhere. Its in the smallest communities in the cities. Its in our most affluent suburbs. A profile interview with secretary of health and human services. I think my passion for trying to help people. In my passion for a Healthy Society<\/a> this just feels like a culmination of a lifes work. It was incredibly rewarding. Overlapped with the 20 plus years that i have with the representative life. And to have the opportunity now at this pivotal time in the stations history and the system that we have to leave this Remarkable Department<\/a> is as fulfilling as anything. Followed at 8 30 p. M. By a conversation with a the Supreme Court<\/a> justice alina keegan. You said at the very many of our conversation we are not pure democracy. And that means that the judiciary has an Important Role<\/a> to play in policing the boundaries of all the other branches and that can make an unpopular set of people when they say to a governor or a president or Congress Know<\/a> you can do that because its just not what in your constitutional powers. Listen using the free radio app. A hearing on the securing of the nations border. Recently Homeland Security<\/a> officials and talked to lawmakers about various technologies they are using to secure u. S. Borders. Witnesses also talked about ways to improve customs and Border Agents<\/a> ability to protect that. This hearing is about 90 minutes. It will come to order. The subcommittee is meeting today to examine the role of technologies. I now recognize myself her opening statement. As a comp located in the endeavor. Inking through what it will take to secure the border as the primary responsibility of the three agencies. 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