A full room at Hawken School for the EndDD presentation by CATA president Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and CATA board member Dana Paris.
On January 22, 2015, CATA board member Dana Paris and I presented on the dangers of distracted driving to approximately 450 students and faculty at Hawken School in Gates Mills, Ohio. The presentation was in partnership with End Distracted Driving (www.EndDD.org), which organization provides engaging an tested materials to communicate the dangers of distracted driving to teens. This is part of CATA’s Community Outreach program, which does pro bono, public service events in the Northeast Ohio community.
CATA board member Dana Paris starting the Faces of Distracted Driving section of the presentation, where students meet the victims–and perpetrators–in devastating distracted driving related crashes.
The audience was receptive to the scientific data and testimonials contained in the presentation. The audience acknowledged that their parents are the worst offenders and left the presentation with a renewed commitment to attempt to adopt safer driving habits. The audience also learned that even as a passenger, there are habits we may adopt to ensure that all drivers and passengers on the road are not motoring distracted.
CATA board member Dana Paris showing the three types of distractions–manual, visual, and cognitive–at play when texting and driving.
CATA partnered with Joel Feldman and The End Distracted Driving campaign last year as its attempt to reach out into the northeast Ohio community and truly make a difference. “Our goal is to educate as many people as possible, to alter their approach to driving and hopefully bring an end to the unnecessary deaths which are caused by distracted driving”.
CATA President Ellen Hobbs Hirshman tossing out CATA / EndDD bracelets to Hawken students participating in the EndDD presentation.
In addition to Hawken School, CATA’s Community Outreach Committee has already made presentations at Shaker Heights High School, MLK High School, the Hospice of the Western Reserve, and are scheduled to present at Chagrin Falls High School and other area schools in the upcoming months.
Ellen in the crowd during the presentation.
If you have questions, comments, or would like to request a presentation for your school or organization, please comment below.
Ellen discussing the dangers of distracted driving we all see every day: using phones, applying makeup, changing music.