BVT SkillsUSA Community-Service Team Organizes Trooper Presentation
Apr 26, 2014 11:48AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Shown (L-R): Samantha Cella, Ella Dehestani, Mikayla Corda and Trooper Timothy Weldon.
At the beginning of his 14-year career in law enforcement, Trooper Timothy Weldon of the Massachusetts State Police was taught to immediately look for signs of drug or alcohol use when investigating a motor vehicle accident. Now when an accident occurs, smart phones and other personal electronic devices are among the first things that Weldon and his fellow troopers look for.
Weldon recently shared this information with students of Blackstone Valley Tech in a presentation on the dangers of distracted driving. While cell phones and other devices were a big part of the discussion, Weldon emphasized to BVT students that distracted driving comes in many forms, including eating behind the wheel, interacting with boisterous passengers, and searching the airwaves for your favorite song.
“Anything at all that takes your eyes off the road is considered distracted driving,” Weldon said.
The presentation on distracted driving was organized by the BVT SkillsUSA Community Service Team, which has been conducting an ongoing campaign about the pros and cons of social media, including its potential negative influence on young drivers.
“Social media is becoming a larger epidemic. Today it’s not only texting that is becoming a distraction to teens while driving but also social media applications,” explained SkillsUSA Community Service Team member Ella Dehestani of Millville, a junior in the Valley Tech Health Services program. “Trooper Weldon clearly indicated to the student body that using these applications limits interpersonal interactions, and if you’re behind the wheel, they are also responsible for taking away lives.”
In addition to organizing Weldon’s presentation at Blackstone Valley Tech, the SkillsUSA Community Service Team has been raising awareness of social media safety by making its own presentations in area middle and high schools and encouraging students to become “SMARTIES” (Social Media: Acting Responsibly with Technology In Every Situation).
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (www.valleytech.k12.ma.us) serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.
Submitted by Andrew Morrison,
Blackstone Valley Voc-Tech High School
Weldon recently shared this information with students of Blackstone Valley Tech in a presentation on the dangers of distracted driving. While cell phones and other devices were a big part of the discussion, Weldon emphasized to BVT students that distracted driving comes in many forms, including eating behind the wheel, interacting with boisterous passengers, and searching the airwaves for your favorite song.
“Anything at all that takes your eyes off the road is considered distracted driving,” Weldon said.
The presentation on distracted driving was organized by the BVT SkillsUSA Community Service Team, which has been conducting an ongoing campaign about the pros and cons of social media, including its potential negative influence on young drivers.
“Social media is becoming a larger epidemic. Today it’s not only texting that is becoming a distraction to teens while driving but also social media applications,” explained SkillsUSA Community Service Team member Ella Dehestani of Millville, a junior in the Valley Tech Health Services program. “Trooper Weldon clearly indicated to the student body that using these applications limits interpersonal interactions, and if you’re behind the wheel, they are also responsible for taking away lives.”
In addition to organizing Weldon’s presentation at Blackstone Valley Tech, the SkillsUSA Community Service Team has been raising awareness of social media safety by making its own presentations in area middle and high schools and encouraging students to become “SMARTIES” (Social Media: Acting Responsibly with Technology In Every Situation).
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (www.valleytech.k12.ma.us) serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.
Submitted by Andrew Morrison,
Blackstone Valley Voc-Tech High School
