Miller Place High School Hosts Driver Safety Night

As many Miller Place High School seniors prepare for a new level of independence behind the wheel, the school recently welcomed approximately 100 students and their parents and guardians for the first Driver Safety Night of the year, an important program designed to promote safe, responsible driving.

Driver Safety Night is offered to all Miller Place High School seniors who want to obtain a school parking spot. The school holds four sessions throughout the year—two in September, one in November and a final session in January—giving students and families multiple opportunities to participate.

“For our students, earning a driver’s license is an exciting milestone that represents greater independence, but it also comes with a tremendous responsibility,” said Miller Place High School Principal Kevin Slavin. “Driver Safety Night gives us an opportunity to make sure our students understand that the choices they make behind the wheel can have lasting consequences.”

The program is led by Allen Ferrari, a Miller Place community member and former New York City police officer with extensive experience in driver safety and law enforcement. Through a thorough, straightforward presentation, Mr. Ferrari addresses the very real dangers and consequences associated with unsafe and distracted driving, drawing on his real-world experience to help students understand the responsibility that comes with operating a vehicle.

Allen Ferrari’s firsthand experience allows him to move beyond statistics and help students understand how quickly an unsafe decision can turn an ordinary trip into a life-changing event. Students are encouraged to take an active role in creating a culture of safe driving by putting their phones away, following speed limits, wearing seat belts, speaking up when a friend is driving unsafely, and making responsible choices every time they get behind the wheel.

The goal of Driver Safety Night extends beyond fulfilling a requirement for on-campus parking. The program emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential consequences of speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, failing to wear a seat belt and succumbing to distractions or peer pressure when friends are in the vehicle.

“Student safety is always our highest priority, and programs like Driver Safety Night play an important role in preparing our students to make responsible decisions behind the wheel,” said Dr. Marc Ferris, Superintendent of Schools. “We sincerely thank Mr. Ferrari for sharing his expertise and helping our students understand the importance of safe driving.”

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.