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'No Empty Chair' Campaign Kicks Off at CVHS
 wide shot of no empty chair campaign presentation
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On April 25, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) kicked off the 2019 “No Empty Chair” teen driving safety campaign at Chenango Valley High School. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers. In an effort to reduce the number of vehicular crashes, this annual education and enforcement campaign aims to raise awareness of highway dangers and the importance of driving safely. This is a vital effort year-round, and especially as prom and graduation season approaches.

The kick-off event included powerful messages from presenters including Chuck DeWeese (Assistant Commissioner for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee), Lieutenant Lucas Anthony (New York State Police), Marianne Angelillo (a parent advocate for teen driving safety), Jennifer Ostrander (Chenango Valley High School Principal) and Lucas Scott (Chenango Valley High School senior). Law enforcement officials from the Broome County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and Port Dickinson Police also joined the presentation.

During his speech, Chenango Valley senior Lucas Scott discussed that tragic results from distracted driving can cause a ripple effect.

“There are a lot of people who are affected by your choices. It’s not just you. If you get in a crash or if you do something, it’s not just you and the other people in the car that are affected,” stated Lucas. “It’s the people in the other car. It’s your family because you might not be there anymore. It’s your friends. It’s your community. It’s everyone who has ever known you, and even the people who don’t know you. They all are going to feel the effects of what happened.”

Marianne Angelillo, who previously lost her son Matthew to a motor vehicle accident, reinforced the impact of such tragedies. 

“We are the family that represents the empty seat at graduation," said Angelillo. "Matt would never, ever believe that he could make a decision like this that would just completely stop his life in its tracks and make us see that ripple effect that Lucas so beautifully spoke of."

The statewide campaign effort will focus on the following topics daily from Monday, April 29 to Friday, May 3: 
  • Monday, April 29 - Speeding in School Zones
  • Tuesday, April 30 - Seat Belt and Child Restraints
  • Wednesday, May 1 - Cell Phone Use and Texting
  • Thursday, May 2 - Operation Safe Stop
  • Friday, May 3 - Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving
In response to this campaign, the Chenango Valley High School Student Council and SADD have prepared a week of events coinciding with each topic to help promote awareness and education. This includes daily announcements on teen driving statistics, hallway “traffic tickets” with statistics given to students by teachers, taking an #ItCanWait pledge to not drive with distractions, and other activities. “No Empty Chair” posters have also been displayed throughout the school.

In addition to educating students on the importance of safe driving, state and local law enforcement officials will be increasing their patrols near local high schools throughout New York to ensure the lessons are being put into action.

“We would much rather correct bad driving behaviors than lose one of you,” Lt. Anthony stated during his speech. 
 
A few more resources to help educate younger drivers can be found at: dmv.ny.gov/younger-driver/younger-driver-resources