Kutztown Area High School FFA
Kutztown, PA

Don’t Let a Back Road be Your Last Road

Kutztown FFA Chapter, Pennsylvania

Celeste Ball

National Organizations for Youth Safety Project Overview

Don’t Let a Back Road Be Your Last Road

            Over the past couple months the Kutztown FFA Chapter has been busy planning, filming, and gathering data for a film to broadcast the value of rural traffic safety. We decided on our four main points: weather conditions, obstructions, slow moving vehicles and overconfidence; based off of interviews with local drivers. We contacted the local fire departments and informed them of our endeavor. All of the accident photos in the movie are from local fire departments and local civilians.

            Due to technical problems and the loss of our first movie, we were delayed- but teamwork paid off. Our movie was created and burned onto DVDs. The first person to receive a copy of this was Mr. Ty Smith, Kutztown High School’s driver education teacher. We are awaiting feedback from him. Once he approves our video and gives us suggestions, we will edit our movie accordingly and make numerous copies. We will distribute these copies, along with the worksheets and pamphlets to all the local schools and DMV centers.

            We would like to thank you for supporting us in our endeavor of promoting rural traffic safety. Our committee had a lot of fun composing this project and we look forward to your response. We are excited about where our project will go from here. Thank you for your support and providing us with the funds to spread this vital message.

Sincerely,
Amelia D. Mengel, Kutztown FFA, President

Watch our video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDQwFCNTYU

Don’t Let a Back Road Be Your Last Road
Video Worksheet

Weather Conditions:
1) Before you head out on the road make sure your _________________ ____________ and ______________ _______________ ________ work.
2) Be prepared for _____________ , ____________ , and ____________.
3) Define “Black Ice”: _________________________________________
4) It is a good idea to always keep  _____________________  in your car.
5) What should you NOT do in weather emergencies? _______________
6) The best way to protect yourself from weather related accidents is to be _________________________________.

Obstructions:
1) List 3-4 back road “surprises” :  ________________________________
2) You probably have been told to: “_______________ ___________ __________________ _________ __________ __________________.”
3) Every _______________ holds new views in store, what will you see?
4) One thing that has a major impact on your reaction time to obstructions:  _______________ .

Slow Moving Vehicles:
1) List 4 -5 slow moving “vehicles” : ______________________________ ___________________________________________________________
2) Passing large farm equipment could be difficult, especially if you do not ___________________ the encounter.
3) If you are driving behind someone who is slow, be _______________ .
4) If someone tries to pass you or follows you closely remain __________.
 5) If you feel it is __________ to pull over, you may try to pull off into a driveway or parking lot.

Overconfidence:
1) Young drivers think they can drive _____________ or _____________ because they know the road.
2) Speeding due to _______________ or ___________ is not worth a ticket or an accident.
3) Stay _______________.
4) Be _______________ for anything.

S Weather Conditions T

• As a driver, it your responsibility to be cautious when traveling in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Prevention is a key component to safe driving. Simply keeping your vehicle maintained to help prevent more problems in unfavorable weather.
• Remember to drive according to the conditions. If it is raining, slow down and watch for puddles. Hydroplaning, due to speed, is very dangerous.
• Wet leaves, sleet, and black ice can cause slippery roads. The only way to be safer in these conditions is to slow down!
• In sunny conditions, it is a good idea to wear sunglasses.

Obstructions

• Road obstructions range from branches and trees, to animals such as deer and squirrels.
• Never drive fast at night because your vision is impaired by darkness.
• Anticipate obstructions around every corner- drive cautiously.
• Remember, every corner holds new views in store,

what will you see?

Slow Moving Vehicles

• Pennsylvania’s back roads are full of slow moving vehicles.

• Horse and Buggies
• Farm Equipment
• Bicycles
• Joggers
• Be prepared to encounter large or slow vehicles at any moment on rural roadways.
• Patience and preparation are key to successful road encounters

Overconfidence

Back roads have claimed the lives of not only new drivers, but also experienced drivers. An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Rural roads constantly pose hazards on drivers. It is imperative that drivers are aware of potential hazards and know how to react to them.

Speeding is illegal and incredibly dangerous.

Speeding due to tardiness or pride is no good reason for a ticket or an accident
For More Information Contact:

Kutztown Chapter of the Pennsylvania FFA Association

Kutztown Area High School
50 Trexler Avenue
Kutztown, PA 19530
Attn: FFA/Agriculture Department

(610) 683 – 7346

Ask for Mrs. Ball

cball@ksd.org

Don’t Let A
Back Road Be
Your Last Road

Kutztown Chapter of the FFA National FFA Organization

This program was made possible by the
National Organizations for Youth Safety

The Kutztown FFA Chapter's National Organizations for Youth Safety team is on the move. Recently we have been motivating our chapter and reaching out into the community for suggestions and support. We began lining up interviews with various community members who have important messages for our young people. We are also busy planning out our methods of spreading the message of rural traffic safety, possibly including brochures, a video, and/or radio messages. We are very enthusiastic about this endeavor and we would like to thank the National Organizations for Youth Safety for giving us this opportunity.