Rell notes !mpact of teen driving safety

With the state focusing on teen driving safety this week, the governor has recognized an organization with local ties for helping to increase awareness on the issue.

In her proclamation declaring Dec. 6-12 as Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week, Gov. M. Jodi Rell thanked Mourning Parents ACT, Inc., or !MPACT, for helping for promote better driving habits among teens.

!MPACT is a nonprofit organization founded by Coventry resident Sherry Chapman and the family of two other teenagers killed in motor vehicle accidents in an 11-day span in December 2002.

Chapman’s son, Ryan Ramirez, was killed in an automobile accident at 19 and she and other members of !MPACT now go around to share their stories with teenagers and parents.

“People see statistics and their eyes glaze over. You add a personal story to that and they listen,” Chapman said, adding members even go to schools to talk with teenagers.

She said members also share the “horrific” details about what can happen to the human body during a crash, while informing them the newer laws are intended to help them become better drivers.

“Teens need to learn how to drive this 3,000-pound weapon, which it is, essentially, under very controlled circumstances,” she added.

Rell recognized !MPACT for developing a teen driver safety program for teens and parents “to spread awareness and information on safe driving practices.”

Chapman said Rell has been very proactive on teen driver safety as governor, working to enact stricter laws and creating a new task force to focus on the topic.

“This governor has done a lot to promote teen safety in her tenure,” she said.
!MPACT is part of the Connecticut Teen Driving Safety Partnership, a coalition of state agencies and organizations.

Chapman said the partnership and Rell’s other initiatives have helped make teens and parents “increasingly aware of the risks.”

She also said the public is learning the laws are intended to help teens become better gradually, not to restrict their driving privileges.

During Teen Driving Awareness Week, !MPACT will also have daily informative posts on its Facebook page online, Chapman said.