Transportation Cabinet
KYTC & MADD Hit “The Spot”- Multimedia Program will Deliver Driver Safety Message to 7,000 Additional Kentucky Teenagers

FRANKFORT, KY (April 6, 2006) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are using a new multimedia show to connect with young drivers. “The Spot,” a 40 minute program, opened to rave reviews among teens at its first showing a few weeks ago.  Now, it’s going to be seen in more schools beginning next week!

Franklin County High School Senior Jenny Reid saw the show last month.  "I thought it was really emotional. I saw a couple of people tear up. It really showed you that it (a drunk driving crash) can happen to anyone and it really affects people's lives and people's families." 

The multimedia campaign will be presented to about 7,000 students in the following schools next week:

Monday, April 10

• 8:00AM – Ballard High School, Jefferson County

Tuesday, April 11

• 9:30AM – Mercer County High School, Mercer County

• 1:30PM – Marion County High School, Marion County

Wednesday, April 12

• 1:45PM (central time) – Barren County High School, Barren County

Thursday, April 13

• 8:30AM (central time) – Daviess County High School, Daviess County

Friday, April 14

• 8:30AM (central time) – McLean County High School, McLean County

“The Spot” uses technology and teen icons to merge driver safety messages and real life teen situations. About 8,000 students have already watched the intense show.

“As part of the cabinet’s safety efforts, we are trying to reach out to teens in a way that they will want to hear the message,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “The Spot is a great vehicle to drive forward the importance of safety.”

This program gives teens an open avenue to express concerns and pressures that come with being a young adult in today’s fast paced world.  It encourages teens to pay attention to their surroundings by sharing facts, music, movie scripts, presentations from peers, and informational interviews.

“MADD Kentucky is proud to have the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sponsor our latest multi-media show,” said Traci Moore, MADD Youth Program Coordinator. “Thanks to this partnership, thousands of high school students will have the latest information about safe driving, the dangers of underage drinking and they will be able to recognize who is trying to influence the decisions they make.”

Topics such as substance abuse are openly discussed. Celebrities and athletes such as Larry Brown from the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR Driver Reed Sorenson share testimonials about what it’s really like being in the public eye and how one teenagers’ decision can impact an entire community.

“The importance of this program can not be overstated,” said Boyd Sigler, the Transportation Cabinet’s Highway Safety Operations Manager. “While teen drivers make up only 6% of Kentucky's driving population they are involved in 16% of fatal collisions and 21% of injury collisions. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is happy to partner with MADD to reduce young driver fatalities and injuries on our highways.”

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