Why Road Safety Begins in Schools: The Role of Early Education in Preventing Accidents

North Dakota Expands Vision Zero Initiative with Larimore Public School Partnership

The Vision Zero School kickoff event, held on April 30 at Larimore Public School, was designed to raise students' awareness of the dangers of impaired driving through interactive, hands-on experiences. By simulating the effects of impaired driving, the initiative aimed to demonstrate how delayed reaction times and loss of control can lead to hazardous situations on the road, emphasising the importance of responsible driving habits at an early age.

Approximately 200 students from grades 7 to 12 attended the Vision Zero kickoff, with grades 10 to 12 participating in interactive sessions on the risks of impaired and distracted driving. Larimore is the latest school in North Dakota to receive the Vision Zero designation, so student leaders are now working on peer-to-peer initiatives, using posters, advertisements, and videos to promote road safety. The event is part of the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities and promote safer driving practices among young drivers. In collaboration with the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office and the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the program focuses on improving driver education.

During the event, students participated in various activities, including a go-kart exercise that mimicked the unpredictable effects of impaired driving. Jale Pietron, one of the participants, described the experience as “really weird,” explaining that the vehicle unexpectedly veered off course and exhibited delayed responses. Similarly, sophomore Tatum Stark (15) struggled with the exercise, while his classmate Logan Kyllo (16), who rode as a passenger, recalled how Stark hit the curb, describing the moment as unnerving.

Kaitlin Atkinson, Vision Zero’s outreach coordinator for northeastern North Dakota, informed students that approximately 100 lives are lost annually in roadway accidents across the state. She highlighted that Vision Zero seeks to eliminate these fatalities by encouraging drivers to adapt to road conditions, wear seat belts, and follow speed limits, underscoring how both drivers’ and passengers’ choices significantly impact overall road safety.

Principal Kal Triplett reinforced the importance of safe driving in Larimore, a town characterised by numerous cross streets, minimal stop signs, and children frequently playing in the streets. He reminded upperclassmen that as they drive to school, they represent both the institution and the broader Larimore community. The school also introduced the student leaders spearheading the Vision Zero initiative: Kenlie Nelson, Phoebe Stover, Paytin McMahon, Jacie Pernat, Avarie Zahradka, Jayden Hell, and Meg Reinhold. Large posters featuring these leaders with the message "Pass on Driving Fast" will be displayed throughout the school and online, alongside student-produced videos advocating for safe driving practices.

Kaitlin Atkinson emphasised the effectiveness of peer-to-peer communication, noting that students are more likely to be influenced by messages from their peers than from adults. She encouraged student leaders to develop and promote their creative ideas, offering guidance whenever needed. One of the student leaders, Jacie Pernat, a junior, explained her motivation for joining the program, citing her involvement in school activities and her connection to the cause—particularly after two of her friends were involved in rollover accidents, one of whom sustained a broken nose. Pernat highlighted the role of social media, especially Facebook, in spreading awareness about safe driving and expressed pride in Larimore’s inclusion as one of 15 schools participating in Vision Zero statewide. She credited Principal Triplett for his efforts in making the community safer.

Principal Kal Triplett further noted that Vision Zero complemented Larimore’s recent decision to reintroduce a driver’s education course after a 15-year hiatus. He commended Nikki Holter for becoming certified to teach the course, which will now be available free of charge—a significant shift from the previous requirement for students to pay up to $500 and travel to nearby towns for lessons. So far, 18 students have enrolled in the program.

Holter, Kaitlyn Larson, and Easton Hoffman have been appointed as advisors for the student leaders involved in Vision Zero. Meanwhile, Kaitlin Atkinson explained that although the program was initially launched statewide in 2018, it gained significant momentum between 2020 and 2021 as more schools joined. Larimore became the 15th school in North Dakota to be recognised under Vision Zero after Principal Triplett contacted the Department of Transportation and committed to the two-year program.

To reinforce the initiative’s message, Atkinson and law enforcement officials facilitated hands-on activities during the kickoff event. One of the most impactful exercises involved students navigating a go-kart through a figure-eight course lined with orange cones, simulating the impaired or distracted driving experience. As Larimore integrates Vision Zero into its academic framework, the initiative not only educates students but also fosters a culture of responsibility that will shape safer drivers in the future.

Editor's Note:

The Vision Zero initiative is a crucial step toward fostering safe driving habits among young individuals, ensuring they understand the risks of impaired and distracted driving before they take to the roads. Through interactive demonstrations and peer-led awareness campaigns, Larimore Public School is educating students and empowering them to take an active role in promoting responsible driving within their community. By integrating practical experiences with structured educational efforts, the programme effectively highlights the importance of making safe choices behind the wheel. With Larimore recently designated as a Vision Zero school, the initiative continues to build momentum in promoting road safety among students. The reintroduction of a free driver's education course after 15 years further underscores the school’s dedication to fostering responsible driving habits. 

Skoobuzz applauds this step forward as it is set to play a vital role in shaping a generation of safer, more informed drivers and contributing to safer roads statewide.