chester’s mentoring initiative

September 2023

Our guest speaker, Alyson Strigle, Project Director for the Delaware County Community Traffic Safety Project, discussed child safety related to traffic and transportation, and offered free educational sessions and other services to each of us and our program participants. Here are some highlights of her presentation:

  • Delco has the 5th highest rate of crashes in PA, largely due to the county’s high population density. Aly’s organization is working hard to lower the rate through education and other efforts.

  • The highest rate of teen death is now caused by distracted driving, not drinking or drugs. Phones, food, and friends in cars are causing most distractions.

  • PA has the third highest rate of crashes among mature drivers.

  • PA’s relatively new traffic circles are causing confusion for some, so it is important to educate on proper techniques for navigating them.

  • Seat belts are 95% effective in the event of a crash.

  • Pedestrians should be reminded to stop, look and listen, and not to cross streets in unexpected locations.

  • Children aged 12 and under are mandated by law to wear a helmet while riding a bike.

  • Cars must stop when school buses flash their lights.

  • Never respond to an aggressive driver. Remember that their behavior is not a personal attack, and that escalating the situation can make it far more dangerous. Instead, report the license plate to 911.

  • Aly and colleagues can help provide teen driving packets as well as data about crashes in particular locations to help residents advocate for speed bumps, etc.

  • Aly can deliver an educational program at no charge to all sorts of institutions: day cares, schools, senior centers, township days, etc. A police officer can also be brought in to help build community relationships and give examples of scenarios.

  • The program can be tailored to focus on cars, bikes, car seats, teen driving, etc at the request of the host institution.

  • A child-oriented version of the program encourages children to keep their driving parents focused on the road. She teaches them to call out, “Park the phone because my life matters!”

  • The program can be delivered to any size group, but smaller groups tend to find it easier to ask questions.

  • Delaware County Community Traffic Safety Project also gives out bike helmets and can help achieve “driver fit” with adjustments to seats, mirrors, distance from steering wheel, etc. which is especially important for aging drivers whose mobility may be changing.

  • She currently has openings in November and beyond. Please email her at Astrigle@dctma.org to request a meeting date.