10/20/16

 A long day of school and activities can lead to teen fatigue; often making young drivers too tired to get behind the wheel. Driver's education classes in Schuylkill County are making a point of preparing new drivers for dangers on the road. 

 

Eyewitness News reporter Haley Bianco stopped by North Schuylkill High School to find out what students are taking from the classroom to the car. 

 

Teen Driver Safety Week is bringing local organizations into the classroom to share real-life stories about the dangers of driving. Students are getting a close-up look at the effects of distracted driving; from cell phone use to being too tired. 

 

"I go to school for 8 hours, go to football practice for 3 hours, go home and repeat the process," said Daniel Tomtishen, new driver. 

 

Daniel Tomtishen got his license in August. He feels the lesson on distracted driving was important for new drivers to hear. 

   

"That kind of opened my eyes as a beginning driver, that you're not unstoppable," said Tomtishen. 

 

Studies show that 94-percent of car crashes are caused by human choice or error. That's why new drivers are being targeted; trying to enforce safe driving habits at a young age.

 

"It's dangerous for students," said Carol Alonge with North Central Highway Safety Network in Pottsville. 

 

 A new study from Liberty Mutual Insurance claims that one-third of teenagers are driving while drowsy. 32-percent of teens say they "sometimes" struggle to stay awake while driving, and almost one in ten have dozed off behind the wheel. 

 

"Often times when students are very tired, they push the envelope, they're not going to be on their mark, they're going to miss cues, and cues are very critical when you're driving," added Alonge. 

 

Being too tired behind the wheel can impair any driver at any age, but young drivers have less experience. Experts say high school students should get between 8 and 9 hours of sleep a night, and encourage young drivers to call for a ride if they feel they are too tired to drive. 

 

Students throughout Schuylkill County received information about safe driving habits. They were also encouraged to download apps that prevent phone usage in the car.