CLARKS GREEN — Only one out of nine Abington Christian Academy students who participated in PennDOT’s Click it or Ticket campaign kick-off at the school is legally able to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. The rest are too young or don’t yet have their driver’s permits; however, that didn’t stop them from learning some safety tips and facts about the law that will help them down the road — when they get on the road.
PennDOT press officers Mike Taluto and James May, along with South Abington Township Police Patrolman Darrell Silverstein, talked to the young teens about four major aspects of safe driving: staying within the speed limit, not driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol (and not getting in the car with a driver who is), staying off your cell phone and wearing a seat belt at all times.
Ion Media Networks was on hand to film the conversation for its weekly public affairs show “Northeast Current,” which airs at 6 a.m. Thursdays on WQPX-TV. The Click it or Ticket episode with Abington Christian Academy students is scheduled for Nov. 26.
Silverstein and May each gave brief presentations, after which students asked questions. Some questions revolved around what can and can’t be done at a stop sign or red light, such as texting or unbuckling your seat belt to remove a jacket or reach for an item in the back seat. The answer to both was the same. Even when stopped at a red light or stop sign, a driver is still operating his or her vehicle and all laws apply — no texting, no unbuckling.
