By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
January 05, 2009 04:00 am An advisory panel that includes a Cooperstown resident submitted a report to Gov. David Paterson last week that recommends standardized driver education curriculum and other initiatives to help reign in the teen-driving death rate. Penney Gentile, the mother of an 18-year-old Cooperstown High School senior who died in a 2007 car crash, was among those on the Special Advisory Panel on Driver Education established by the state Legislature last July. As part of its research, the panel also looked at a driver education program launched this school year at Cooperstown High School. "Following the tragic death of Chris Gentile, Penney, his mother, had reached out and wanted to become involved and wanted me to become involved in expanding opportunities for driver education," said Seward, who appointed Gentile to the panel. A standardized New York state curriculum on driver education, a requirement that parents or guardians be involved in driver education programs and more hours of behind-the-wheel experience for driver education programs are among the non-binding recommendations. Driver education is not mandatory in New York, and the panel found that roughly half as many teens are taking it than in the 1970s. But Seward said it will be tough to enact changes given the state's fiscal woes. "It's not as simple as saying we're going to mandate driver ed, particularly in these budget times," Seward said. "We're going to review the recommendations and see what the next steps are." See DRIVERS on Page 9 The report was also submitted to the state Legislature. The lack of driver education for teens often results in tragedies, Seward said. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for those between 16 and 24 years of age, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Young drivers account for only 12 percent of all drivers, yet this age group represents 20 percent of all drivers involved in crashes. From 2004 to 2006, 32 percent of all traffic fatalities occurred in crashes that involved drivers between 16 and 24, according to the DMV. The report indicates federal funding for driver education dwindled in the 1980s. Because of costs and tighter schedules for students, driver education largely became extracurricular and competed with sports and other activities, according to the report. Many schools cannot afford to offer driver education and many teens or their parents cannot afford to take it, the panel found. "One way or another, we are going to need to expand the opportunity to take driver education," Seward said. "We don't want the work of this advisory panel to gather dust on the shelf." Gentile did not return a call for comment Sunday. Seward said Cooperstown High School's driving program, dedicated in memory of Chris Gentile, could prove to be a model for others in the state. The program was boosted by a $35,000 grant obtained by Seward. Former Cooperstown Principal Gary Kuch, who helped oversee the launching of the program this fall, said it has been well-received. Although it is not fully implemented, the program includes the use of simulators, which Kuch said can simulate foul weather and any variety of traffic hazard or situation. Students seem to be benefitting, he said. "The good habits were becoming automatic," Kuch said. The program will be available in full to students later this year. The school was visited by members of the panel conducting research for the report. The other recommendations from the driver education panel include: "¢ Introducing traffic safety and hazard awareness throughout a student's education. "¢ Expanding the use of technology, such as simulators, without substituting for behind-the-wheel experience. "¢ Expand opportunities for certified teachers to pursue completion of the driver education endorsement classes. "¢ Encourage BOCES and community colleges to become regional providers of driver education programs and explore options for other organizations to provide programs. "¢ Seek options for sustainable funding for local and regional driver education programs accessible to all student regardless of income, location, disability and English language proficiency. "¢ Retain local school district discretion regarding whether to provide driver education to its students.
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