Wren High School’s required program aimed at car wreck prevention is a result of recent tragedy. Since 2007, there have been eleven Wren High and Middle school students killed in car crashes. Wren High School and Wren Middle School are both located in Anderson County, South Carolina. Wren High School has now implemented mandatory education prior to purchasing a parking permit. SC Alive at 25 is a program developed by the National Safety Council to prevent traffic violations, collisions and fatalities. It is a 4 ½ hour defensive driving course that addresses the dangers of speeding, seat belt use, using a cell phone while driving, eating while driving, abusing alcohol or drugs while driving and more. Additionally, students and parents are required to sit through an assembly at the school called “Drive it Home”.
Wren High School’s New Parking Permit Requirements
These programs have been developed in an effort to reduce the #1 killer of teens. Wren High School aims for car wreck prevention after losing an average of 1.3 students each year since 1989 — usually in a car accident. In early March, the school lost one of its senior students who was driving with three other passengers. The car veered off the road and went down an embankment. Out of the four young passengers, three of them died.
Later in March, a junior at Wren High School died after driving off of the road and hitting a tree.
The school hopes that with the implementation of these required programs, it will make this school year tragedy free. According to Alive at 25, young drivers are involved in fatal crashes at more than twice the rate of all others. More than 1 in 5 newly licensed teenagers are involved in crashes. In 2012, 176 young drivers were killed in vehicle collisions in South Carolina.
The Thomas Creech Law Offices supports Wren High School’s new required program aimed at car wreck prevention. When a young person loses his or her life, it is an unspeakable tragedy for for the community and most of all for the family. Education is key. Awareness is key. Emphasis on safety is the key. Remember almost all car wrecks are preventable. So together-our communities, schools, families-can come together to prevent deadly traffic car wrecks. No matter what your age is, please drive safe out there.