Apart from the infamous Blood Drive, each year, the Red Cross Club creates four Arrive Alive presentations for each grade level to highlight key safety procedures in transportation. While each grade level is shown a different “Arrive Alive” presentation, there are key steps that everyone should take if they wish to be safe. By educating students on these necessary precautions, the Red Cross Club fosters a safer environment in Abington, which is why I’ve compiled a list of the necessary safety precautions from each presentation that one should follow to reduce their chances of being in a transportation-related emergency!
Ninth Grade:
The ninth grade Arrive Alive presentation is centered around pedestrian safety. The four stations stress the importance of being a safe bicyclist and pedestrian.
Some recommendations to be a safer pedestrian are:
- Wear bright colors at night to increase the visibility of yourself to drivers
- Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the street
- Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle
- Make sure to have proper reflectors on your bicycle (laws may vary per state)
- Minimize distractions such as loud music in headphones and texting when crossing the street
Tenth Grade:
The tenth grade Arrive Alive presentation teaches students the importance of passenger safety. The four stations in this Arrive Alive teach the students about the importance of airbags and wearing a seatbelt.
Some recommendations to be a safer passenger are:
- Wearing your seatbelt in a car
- Sitting in the backseat of a car if under thirteen years of age
- Refrain from distracting the driver by making sudden movements or causing loud noises
- Keep all limbs inside the vehicle at all times
- Follow all vehicle safety guidelines, including those for airbags and child restraints
Eleventh Grade: In the eleventh grade Arrive Alive, students have the opportunity to participate in four stations that intend to show the importance of responsible driving. This presentation focuses on the dangers of distracted driving and how to minimize them.
Some recommendations to be a responsible driver are:
- Never use a mobile phone while driving; pull over safely if you need to make a call or send a message
- Follow posted speed limits and adjust your speed according to road conditions
- If driving with a passenger, make sure that you trust the passenger to not distract you
- Be aware of your surroundings
Twelfth Grade:
The twelfth grade Arrive Alive takes a different approach: rather than stations, it is known as the Mock Crash. This presentation simulates a real-life car accident to showcase the devastating consequences of reckless driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence.
Some key takeaways from the Mock Crash are:
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Avoid using a cell phone or other distractions while driving
- Always obey traffic laws and speed limits
- Understand the potentially life-altering consequences of reckless driving, both for yourself and passengers
- Do not drive with distracting passengers
