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ATSS Foundation partners to offer teen driver education for work zones
The American Traffic Safety Services ATSS Foundation is partnering with Work Zone Safe to educate teen drivers on how to safely navigate work zones. Thanks to a grant from the PPG Foundation of Pittsburgh, The ATSS Foundation worked with Work Zone Safe to develop a free interactive training program that teaches teen drivers the importance of work zone safety including how to navigate a work zone. The curriculum addresses the importance of safe driving habits, the results of speeding and inattentiveness, and how to read work zone signage, operate within queuing and navigate night work zones. It also covers how to understand work zone devices, pavement markings and mobile operations. mobile operations. “We are excited to be addressing this gap in driver education for teens,” ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz said. “The information in this curriculum is critical in helping the next generation of drivers protect themselves and roadway workers as we continue working toward zero deaths on the nation’s roads and highways. We hope departments of transportation in states across the country will be interested in making the curriculum available in their jurisdictions.” The American Traffic Safety Services ATSS Foundation is partnering with Work Zone Safe to educate teen drivers on how to safely navigate work zones. Thanks to a grant from the PPG Foundation of Pittsburgh, The ATSS Foundation worked with Work Zone Safe to develop a free interactive training program that teaches teen drivers the importance of work zone safety including how to navigate a work zone. The curriculum addresses the importance of safe driving habits, the results of speeding and inattentiveness, and how to read work zone signage, operate within queuing and navigate night work zones. It also covers how to understand work zone devices, pavement markings and mobile operations. mobile operations. The work zone safety online course is free and currently available only for Oklahoma teens where completion of the program could qualify the individual for a reduced rate on the family’s insurance policy. “We are excited to be addressing this gap in driver education for teens,” ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz said. “The information in this curriculum is critical in helping the next generation of drivers protect themselves and roadway workers as we continue working toward zero deaths on the nation’s roads and highways. We hope departments of transportation in states across the country will be interested in making the curriculum available in their jurisdictions.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for teens and that crash risks are highest in the first months a teen is licensed. In addition, most people killed in work zone traffic crashes are drivers and their passengers. In 2020, 857 people were killed in work zone crashes, 740 of whom were not roadway workers, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Teens who complete the Work Zone Safe course are entered into a monthly drawing for a $500 educational scholarship. The ATSS Foundation is providing funding to award a scholarship each month. The course is open to teens aged 15-19. Every Oklahoma teen who completes the program also receives a one-hour jump pass for Sky Zone in Edmond, Okla. Any state or state department of transportation DOT interested in offering the program can contact Diaz lori.diaz@atssa.com for details on how to adapt the program. The ATSS Foundation is the charitable arm of the American Traffic Safety Services Association. It was formed in 1988 with the core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs.
Join ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting in Rhode Island
Join roadway safety professionals for ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting to help shape policies and initiatives for the roadway safety infrastructure industry for the coming year. Network with more than 350 industry professionals from across the country who are gathering in Providence, R.I., to further innovation and infrastructure for roadway safety, Aug. 23-26. The meeting is tailored to national committee members and friends to learn, network and build leadership skills. “These meetings are critical to the work of our Association,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We lay the groundwork for many efforts and innovations for advancing roadway safety at our committee and council meetings. We were pleased by last year’s record-breaking attendance of 381 and hope to exceed that this year as we work to develop roadway safety plans that utilize the funding approved in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.” Join roadway safety professionals for ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting to help shape policies and initiatives for the roadway safety infrastructure industry for the coming year. Network with more than 350 industry professionals from across the country who are gathering in Providence, R.I., to further innovation and infrastructure for roadway safety, Aug. 23-26. The meeting will be held at the Omni Providence Hotel and is tailored to national committee members and friends to learn, network and build leadership skills. “These meetings are critical to the work of our Association,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We lay the groundwork for many efforts and innovations for advancing roadway safety at our committee and council meetings. We were pleased by last year’s record-breaking attendance of 381 and hope to exceed that this year as we work to develop roadway safety plans that utilize the funding approved in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.” Registration is free for ATSSA committee and council members but is required so register now. Public agency and department of transportation DOT employees who are ATSSA members also register for free and should request the discount code from meetings@atssa.com if they are not also a committee or council member. Reserve hotel rooms within the ATSSA room block online or by calling 401-598-8000 by Aug. 5. The Midyear Meeting includes an ATSS Foundation Fundraiser on Aug. 24 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The fundraiser is hosted by the New England ATSSA Chapter with New England Highway Technologies as title sponsor. Purchase fundraiser tickets during registration $60 advance, $75 onsite and enjoy a New England-style dinner, games, prize drawings and entertainment from Stone Shakers, the group that won ATSSA’s Battle of the Bands contest in 2021. “The ATSS Foundation appreciates the work of the New England ATSSA Chapter in organizing this fundraiser, which supports Foundation programs including the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship, Chuck Bailey Scholarship, the National Work Zone Memorial and our youth activity book,” said Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “The Squantum Association facility is beautiful, historic and overlooks Narragansett Bay, providing a wonderful setting for the evening’s activities.” The full schedule of Midyear Meeting events is below. Registration and hotel booking are now available. Tuesday, Aug. 23 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Member Engagement Committee 1:30-5:30 p.m. – Chapter Presidents’ Council 6-7 p.m. – Chapter Presidents Council Reception by invitation only Wednesday, Aug. 24 8:30-9:30 a.m. – General Session 9:45 a.m.-noon – Work Zone ITS Subcommittee 9:45 a.m.-noon – Women in Roadway Safety Council 9:45 a.m.-noon – Strategic Highway Safety Plan Council 1-5 p.m. – High Friction Surface Treatment Council 1-5 p.m. – Innovation Council 5:30-6:30 p.m. – ATSSA Reception 6:30-9:30 p.m. – ATSS Foundation Event Thursday, Aug. 25 8 a.m. to noon – Guardrail Committee 8 a.m. to noon – Pavement Marking Committee 8 a.m. to noon – Sign Committee 1-5 p.m. – Temporary Traffic Control Committee 1-5 p.m. – Traffic Signals Committee 1-5 p.m. – Safety & Public Awareness Committee 6-7 p.m. – PAC Reception Friday, Aug. 26 8-9 a.m. – PAC Oversight Committee 9 a.m.-noon – Roadway Worker Protection Council 9 a.m.-noon – Government Relations Committee
ATSS Foundation Fun Run continues growing
The ATSS Foundation's annual Fun Run saw increased participation for its third straight year. The Foundation Fun Run started in 2020 as part of ATSSA’s 50th anniversary celebration in New Orleans during ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. That year’s event covered 2 miles and took place on a downtown path overlooking the Mississippi River. The event has evolved since then as a great group activity for ATSSA member companies, families or friends, or for individuals, all of whom can take part anywhere across the country – or the world. Participants have the option of a 5K Fun Run or the 33-mile Roadway Safety Challenge, both of which can be run or walked. The ATSS Foundation's annual Fun Run saw increased participation for its third straight year. The Foundation Fun Run started in 2020 as part of ATSSA’s 50th anniversary celebration in New Orleans during ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. That year’s event covered 2 miles and took place on a downtown path overlooking the Mississippi River. The event has evolved since then as a great group activity for ATSSA member companies, families or friends, or for individuals, all of whom can take part anywhere across the country – or the world. Participants have the option of a 5K Fun Run or the 33-mile Roadway Safety Challenge, both of which can be run or walked. Registrants for this year’s Third Annual Foundation Fun Run numbered 144, up from 124 in 2021. The inaugural Fun Run included 36 participants. Some of this year’s runners provided photos and data from their runs. The 2022 event was held May 14-29, with runners and walkers able to complete their event within that timeframe. People choosing the 33-mile distance can complete it over multiple days. This virtual event benefits The Foundation’s charitable programs such as academic scholarships, the National Work Zone Memorial and youth programs. “This Fun Run offers a great opportunity for our members to engage in team building and a healthy activity while supporting The ATSS Foundation. To me, that’s definitely a win-win,” Foundation Director Lori Diaz said. “I enjoy participating with co-workers at ATSSA headquarters and look forward to next year’s event.”