AAA educates and checks students vehicles

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Zanesville High School had about 70 students get their cars tested, talk about distracted driving, and try driving a Distracted Driving Simulator.

AAA Ohio Automotive Technicians were available to test students vehicle belts, hoses, tires, lights, fluid levels, and batteries during lunch hours. AAA Ohio Auto Club’s Traffic Safety Program Manager Kellie O’Riordan said car problems are distractions and this will help eliminate those distractions.

“We want to talk to kids about how to stay safe, how to make sure that their parents know if there are any problems, once they’re found, and how to take care of that,” O’Riordan said. “So when we do ask the students to bring these back to their parents, that’s also going to ignite a conversation about distraction.”

Along with AAA educating students on distracting driving and allowing them to experience distracted driving with Ohio Department of Transportation’s driving simulator, the ‘Start Talking’ initiative Coordinator Hank Harned was there to talk about substance abuse with the students.

“We want them to have the confidence to make good decisions to know what those good decisions are, whether it’s in a car, in a social setting, in school, or at work,” Harned said. “We want them to be equipped to be successful people.”

Before the cars are tested students are asked what their biggest distractions are and then given the choice to sign a distracted driving pledge. Each student that participated in the safety program was given a free lunch.