Advisory - As summer begins, officials warn young drivers at higher risk for collisions
WHAT: An experience in impaired driving as young drivers suit up in Ford Motor Company's Drugged Driving Suit, which simulates being under the influence of marijuana, and attempt driving on a controlled course. Students will perform some basic tasks (walking in a straight line, catching a ball, etc.,) while wearing the suit. Leaders in law enforcement, insurance and safety will be on hand to discuss the effects of impairment on a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely and the consequences for drivers arrested for impaired driving.
The Drugged Driving Suit was designed as part of Ford's Driving Skills for Life program, established in 2003 to provide education beyond what most new drivers learn in basic driver's education courses.
WHERE: River City Christian Church - parking lot
10933 Progress Court
Rancho Cordova, 95670 (off of Folsom at Zinfandel exit)
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2018
10 a.m. Early morning show opportunities to drive the course in the suit available at 5 a.m.
WHO: Dave Jones, Commissioner – California Department of Insurance
Ryan Stonebraker, Assistant Chief – California Highway Patrol Valley Division
Dr. Kelly Browning, Executive Director – Impact Teen Drivers
Armand Feliciano, VP – Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
WHY: As the graduation season and summer begins, we are entering what the AAA Foundation has identified as the 100 Deadliest Days (the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day) behind the wheel for teens and young adults. National data shows drugged driving is on the rise and new survey findings from PCI suggest more parents need to talk to their kids about the dangers of driving impaired. Summer is a critical time to discuss the dangers of impaired driving of any kind and enhance efforts to reduce impaired-driver arrests, traffic collisions and fatalities.
Visuals: Great visuals of students driving and performing basic tasks while wearing the Drugged Driving Suit, infographics, interview opportunities with all speakers, and an opportunity for reporters to suit up and try the Drugged Driving Suit. The course vehicle is outfitted with GoPro cameras to capture driving course visuals. A representative from Ford will be onsite.
Spanish speaker available for interviews.
Livestream: