PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Zina McGowan-Thomas, Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

KICK-OFF PLANNED FOR SUPERINTENDENT’S

YOUNG DRIVERS SAFETY INITIATIVE

      LEONARDTOWN, MD –  Dr. Martirano, superintendent of schools, will conduct a press conference on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 10:00 a.m., at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown, MD, to kick off the Superintendent’s Young Drivers Safety Initiative.

            Maryland ’s Secretary of Transportation, John Porcari, local state delegates, County Commissioners , Board of Education members, law enforcement officials, and a host of community leaders, residents, and students will join Dr. to launch this important endeavor.

            The safety and education of young drivers is becoming a nationwide priority as the incidents of young drivers involved in traffic accidents and fatalities are occurring far too frequently. St. Mary’s County Public Schools has joined forces with community partners to address this issue through the Superintendent’s Young Drivers Safety Initiative, a program developed to educate students and prevent the high-risk driving behaviors that have contributed to so many recent tragedies throughout Maryland .

            The Superintendent’s Young Drivers Safety Initiative includes a five point plan to be implemented in St. Mary’s County Public Schools at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.   The five points are as follows:

• Students requesting a permit for school parking will be required to view a school based audio/visual presentation addressing high-risk driving behaviors.
• Students requesting a permit for school parking will be required to sign a safe driving contract with their parents and school administrators.
• Students requesting a permit for school parking will be encouraged to register their vehicle with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff ’s Office “S.T.O.P.P.E.D. Program,” Sheriff’s Telling Our Parents & Promoting Educated Drivers.
• All secondary students will attend a one hour student assembly on young drivers involved in traffic fatalities.
• The school system will reinforce the importance of this program through a public media campaign. 

Students, parents, and community members are encouraged to attend this press conference and kick-off to learn more about the Superintendent’s Young Drivers Safety Initiative.  The event will also include exhibitors who will provide information and materials to young drivers.  For more details, contact Mr. F. Michael Wyant, St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ supervisor of safety and security, at 301-475-4256, ext. 188.

-30-