Listen to Tracy Dolan, Vermont’s Deputy Health Commissioner, discussing the threat of texting while driving that has been measured in Vermont’s latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It’s described as a ‘new public health crisis’ in this Vermont Public Radio interview, and the statistic is jaw-dropping: http://digital.vpr.net/post/texting-while-driving-now-public-health-threat

The Associated General Contractors of Vermont will be offering Distracted Driving trainings to the public on a number of dates (below). This is a four-hour classroom course designed to motivate participants to change their behind-the-wheel behaviors and attitudes. The AGC/VT has been designated by the National Safety Council as a Certified Training Center, the only one in Vermont. Attendees who complete this course will receive an NSC Student Handbook, an AGC/VT Fleet Handbook, and certificates of completion from NSC and AGC/VT. The course is taught by certified National Safety Council and AAA Northern New England instructors.

January 24, 8:00AM-Noon
AGC/VT Training Center, 1 Graves Street, Montpelier, Vermont
(The standard fee for this class is $99 per person but if you reference “Driver Safety” in your registration, this fee will be reduced to $60 per person). Register at http://www.agcvt.org or phone (802) 223-1809.

Other Distracted Driving Courses are being presented as well. All Classes begin at 8:00AM and end at noon:

Feb..10: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
Mar. 19: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
April 11: Rutland, The Holiday Inn
April 16: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
April 29: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
May 1: Williston, VT Home Builders, Commerce Ave.
May 15: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
June 11: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.
July 16: Montpelier, AGC/VT Training Ctr.

Thank you Andrée-Anne Faucher for sharing this video from Montreal with us.

The Red Ribbon ceremony at the statehouse last night was a beautiful, powerful memorial to victims of impaired driving. With deep appreciation to the Dept. of Corrections: Amy Holloway, Director of Victim’s Services; Derek Miodownick, Exec. in charge of Restorative Community Justice; Commissioner Andy Pallito; Keith Flynn, Commissioner Dept. Public Safety; and the families of victims who all shared their experiences in such an illuminating and compassionate way. In the video The BarreTones perform one of three songs during the ceremony.