This is The Mountain Proud Teen Safety Squad Final Message.

Every year around this time, News anchors speak in somber tones while bright pictures of smiling teens flash behind them. Phrases like.... '....parent's greatest fear....potential unrealised....class tragedy....and living our memories....' are all that is left of a young person's life.

In our race toward adulthood we will learn many things. We will learn how to think for ourselves. We will learn how to explore the world. As we push the limits our endurance, as we experiment with new cultures and adult entertainment, as we become more and more responsible for our lives and the lives of others, It is absolutely necessary for us to act responsibly. Never forget in all of your challenges and trials that When you get behind the wheel of a car or truck you are powerful, free, and dangerous.

One mistake or one careless action in a motorized vehicle could change your life or the lives of others around you in the most tragic of ways.

Be careful. Live to be an adult not a tragic story on the 6'o clock news.

We have now got our Mayor, Joseph Kash of our city, Beattyville, to sign our proclamation:

May National Youth Traffic Safety Month

• Whereas, Each year more than 5,000 youth die in traffic crashes,
• Whereas, prom and summer times are the deadliest times for teen drivers,
• Whereas, the number two cause of death for teens is motor vehicle accidents,
• Whereas, teens make up only 7% of the driving population, but for 14% of the traffic fatalities,
• Therefore, be it resolved, that I, Mayor Joseph Kash, ask all Residents of Beattyville to join me in Discussing these Disturbing statistics with teen drivers--- and be it further resolved that may is recognized as National Youth Traffic Safety Month.

Witness My Hand and the offical Seal of the City of Beattyvill to be affixed this 14th day of April, 2009

And our next step is going to the county judge, Steve Mays and Governor, Steve Breshear to sign the Proclamation.

"Gettin" the word out dudes.....

DUDES!!!, we had a great idea. We are working with our principal to send a message out to every school in the state of Kentucky to tell them what we are all about-hammering home the message "Teen years should be the best of your life not the last".
Dudes you guys know what I'm saying? harsh statistics like this are junk!

..In 2000, 6,495 people between the ages of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Who would've thought that about 2,000 lbs of metal, 18 gallons of highly explosive gasoline, and a careless teen driver would end in death? Yo boneheads! Teen drivers represent 6.6% of the nation's drivers, but they are involved in 14.8% of all fatal crashes.

Don't become a number in these statistics "Drive it like you want to live"
Sean out!

Kentucky license rules

As of october 1st 2006 these are the graduated license laws....

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a driving permit.
A parent or guardian must sign the permit application for applicants under the age of 18, taking responsibility for the applicant.
Applicant must successfully pass the written permit examination and the vision test to be issued a permit.
Applicants under the age of 21 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days. Applicants over the age of 21 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 30 days.
Permit holders must drive with licensed driver over 21 years old accompanying them in the front passenger seat. (Must complete a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which must occur at night.)
Permit holders under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving such as emergencies, school or work related activities.
Drivers receiving a moving traffic violation conviction under KRS 186, 189, 189A. will have to restart the 180 day Permit waiting period.
Permit holders shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time with more than 1 unrelated person under 20 years of age in the vehicle.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under the age of 21 are subject to “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” (Defined as .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration).
All drivers are subject to Kentucky’s point system. A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than 6 points, or a driver age 18 and over who accumulates 12 points may have their driving privilege suspended.
No serious moving violations for those under the age of 18.
Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.
Intermediate License Phase
When applying for an Intermediate License the driver’s Parent/Guardian must certify the driver has completed 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which must occur at night.
Drivers who receive a permit before 18 years of age who have successfully completed the permit phase must pass the driving skills test to be issued an intermediate license. After successfully completing the road test the Kentucky State Police driving examiner will place an “Intermediate License” sticker on the drivers permit.
Drivers who receive a permit when 18 years of age or older do not have to complete the Intermediate License phase and may apply for a full unrestricted driver license.
Intermediate License holders under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving such as emergencies, school or work related activities.
Passenger restriction – limit 1 unrelated person under 20 years of age (secondary offense)
Drivers receiving a moving traffic conviction under KRS 186, 189, 189A. will have to restart the 180 day intermediate License waiting period.
Intermediate license holders must complete one of the following New Driver Education Programs before moving to the next licensing phase:
Graduated Licensing Course (Free 4 hour course provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in the drivers home county)
High School Drivers Education Course or a similar course offered by a Kentucky Community College, Vocational School or Job Corps.
Private Driver Training course at a Division of Driver License approved driver training school.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under the age of 21 are subject to “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” (Defined as .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration).
A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than 6 points may have their driving privilege suspended.
No serious moving violations for those under the age of 18.
Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.
Full Unrestricted Driver License Phase
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under the age of 21 are subject to “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” (Defined as .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration).
All drivers are subject to Kentucky’s point system. A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than 6 points, or a driver age 18 and over who accumulates 12 points may have their driving privilege suspended.
Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times

Did you know that 16-year-olds are three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers. WHY? Because 16 year olds are always distracted and they have less expirence than 17 year-olds

We have now started to post up safety posters in public places. Thanks to Kentucky State Highway Safety Cabinet for providing the posters. And now we are going to Interview our Mayor Joesph Kash on Friday.

Thanks for the support

We would like to thank Shane Ratliff, the Young Driver's Program, and The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety for their support with our cause. Thank you for providing facts like; in our county (Lee County) there were 102 total collisions in 2007 alone, many of these involved teens, four of these crashes were fatal. Teen drivers hurt other people as well as themselves, and you are working for a great cause, for that we would like to say thanks. To fellow teens, the information's out there and the facts are "we are killing each other" -by not driving like we have a clue how dangerous being in control of over 2,000 lbs. of metal, 15 gallons of highly explosive gasoline going 55 miles an hour can be. Now is the time to GET A CLUE!
Teen years should be the best years of your life, not the last.
Watch for our first movie tommorrow.





incerely
-MPTSS-