DR. MARTIN KANE CONDUCTED OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR CAMMSE IN RECENT VIRTUAL SESSIONS OF THE ROWAN COUNTY DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASSES

August 5, 2020

Students Learn How Traffic Engineers Communicate with Drivers

As part of the CAMMSE Youth Outreach from UNC Charlotte, Dr. Martin Kane reached out to recent virtual sessions of the Rowan County Drivers Education classes. North Carolina’s youth are required to attend 30 hours of class training, followed by 6 hours of driving. Dr. Kane’s interactive presentation was incorporated into the courses by the Driver Education Instructors. Instructors related what the students were learning in their classes, to Dr. Kane’s information, which made it beneficial, and fun, for everyone.

Focused specifically at safe-driving topics to support the course they were taking, scenarios were set up, then the young people were asked, “As the driver, what do you see-and what do you do?” Thoughtful answers led to a facilitated discussion with Dr. Kane and the Instructors.

As the students had yet to officially drive, the material was designed to help them learn to anticipate situations they will face as a driver, how to recognize specific types of road signs and various kinds of interchanges they will encounter when driving regionally, how to safely approach and complete signalized or unsignalized left-hand turns, and how to plan to be aware of what is going on both inside and outside their vehicle. A special scenario was created to help the students consider how they will responsibly address distracted driving inside their vehicle which led to a meaningful discussion-students were encouraged to be clear about their personal commitment to how they can prevent this-before they drive.

The 30 students also learned how yellow-light timing is calculated, why dangerous driving statistics are important for them to be aware of, and where to research more information on driver safety as they prepare for the next part of their driver’s education: the driving. For the STEM-inclined students in the audience, the academic route and licensing required of a Traffic Engineer, along with resources was provided by Dr. Kane.

Feedback on the sessions included, “This was just really neat!” Sincere appreciation was expressed to Dr. Kane for the valuable and unique experience students received.