Project Ignition Story of the Week: Impacting How Students Drive and Learn in Washington

Students in the west central Washington town of Yelm are beginning their third year of the teen driver safety program Project Ignition with a focus on preventing distracted driving.Apply now for funding to support student-led teen driver safety promotion projects through Project Ignition. Applications are due Nov. 15, 2010. Visit www.sfprojectignition.com for more information.

Students in the west central Washington town of Yelm are beginning their third year of the teen driver safety program Project Ignition with a focus on preventing distracted driving. During last year's campaign, the number of DUIs decreased and there were no seatbelt infractions — a measurable improvement from the same period of time in prior years, according to the local police department.

This year, students and teachers are working across disciplines to make sure that every student is “immersed in how bad distracted driving really is," said Alex Heid, a Yelm High School senior and Project Ignition planning committee member.

With support from teacher and Project Ignition coordinator Dusti Nash, students have developed packets for academic department heads containing information about how the issue can be woven into each subject area. Math teachers are encouraged to examine it from a statistical angle; history teachers are encouraged to examine it through existing laws; English teachers are encouraged to assign essays that have students reflect on their own driving behaviors.

"We believe that in order to make a lasting impact on our students we need to approach the issue holistically, and that they should hear about combating distracted driving in all their classes and from their parents on a consistent basis,” said Nash. “That's the only way to make a true impact.”

"The teachers are really starting to buy in," said and Project Ignition planning committee member Carissa Corrigan. Heid adds that the principal is also very supportive.

Yelm High School received its first $2,000 grant from State Farm® with support from NYLC in 2008, and organized the program that is coordinated through the schools’ National FFA Organization chapter. The program initially focused on drinking and driving, and students developed a safe driving video that was distributed to area driver education companies, educated the community at special events, sponsored an elementary coloring contest, and invited a coroner speak to middle and high school students.

In part because of the impact these students have had through Project Ignition, the school has been recognized as one of Project Ignition's Top 10 and as one of the Top 10 Chapters of FFA in the United States.

"Because I've been involved in this, I don't drive distracted. I tell others not to too. It is just too risky," said Heid.

Project Ignition students judge a safe driving coloring contest they held in the district's elementary schools.