Cambria Court Teen Driving Program

Central Cambria hosted a Teen Driving presentation from the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office on October 26th. Assistant DA Tammy Bernstein, Drug and Alcohol Program Coordinator, Mrs. Lynette Kirsch, and former High School Principal, Mr. Jules Dill, helped to arrange and present their message about the consequences of underage drinking, drunk driving, and driving safety to the freshmen class. Attorney Bernstein stated, “Accident rates among teen drivers are alarmingly high, and I look at this program as a way to educate students and to help prevent future tragedies. Having parents reinforce the message at home is the key.” Throughout the program, she made some of the complicated issues very real to the students. Using the analogy of a cell phone, she asked “Could you as a student imagine a day without your cell phone? Once you begin driving, your license will be just as important to you.” She also discussed issues related to underage drinking, DUI, homicide by vehicle, and distracted driving.

Attorney Bernstein shared a video that exemplified how quickly a night of fun could change or end someone’s life forever. Students that participated in the program had a lot to say in response. Sam Thomas, a freshman student stated, “I thought that the way you could be in control of your friend’s life was scary. The way your life can change so quickly is sad.”

While the students received valuable information about the decisions they make and the ramifications for their future, the guest speakers’ other goal was to promote discussion at home about these topics to further reinforce what they had learned. The students were each provided with a t-shirt to take home, hoping this would open the door to an important discussion on the issue.