In Control’s Community Visit Program was first offered in Massachusetts in 2015 thanks to a grant from the National Highway Safety Administration through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Since then, it’s been offered to thousands of high school teens and experienced drivers in dozens of Massachusetts cities and towns.
Channel 5 covered our Medford visit in 2022, providing us with this footage to share.
These visits include ride-along demonstrations by state-certified In Control instructors who take passengers through multiple driving drills where they experience how the vehicle behaves at various speeds and real-world situations. The participants learn:
The importance of wearing a seatbelt (did you know Massachusetts is near last place for seatbelt use in the US?)
How even small increases in speed have a significant impact on your ability to stay in control
Why it’s crucial to stay engaged while driving
The dangers of impairment (alcohol, drugs, and drowsy driving).
Because our skilled drivers are at the wheel, this program has been offered in parking lots and closed down public streets with great success. Communities can request pre and post-participation surveys measuring attitudes towards the subjects targeted. Click here to see some of the past results.