Central Teen Promoting Safe Driving

By Beth Fussell

In light of all of the recent accidents here in Central, one area teen is taking positive steps to make a difference for the future.  The Facebook group "Driving Safe in Central" was recently created by Central High School graduate Haleigh Alexander to promote safe driving habits by teens and adults alike.  Haleigh started the group recently after seeing so many of her friends seriously affected by preventable traffic accidents.  The group focuses on things like not texting while driving, wearing your seatbelt, and avoiding driving drunk.  Haleigh feels that, even though these safe driving points are taught to drivers, putting even more emphasis on safe driving habits can help to lessen the frequency of wrecks and the damage they cause.  The community can support this effort in several ways.  Firstly, practice safe driving yourself, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.  You can also spread the word about the group and its purpose.  Lastly, you can order a t-shirt.  On Friday, Cross Threads (on Sullivan Road across from Central Middle School) will be taking orders for the shirts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Shirts are $15 each, and they are being ordered based on the number of people who sign up to purchase them, so you must put your name on the list to get one.  More orders will likely be made in the near future for those who are currently out of town or unable to order one at this time.  Photos of the shirt can be seen on the "Driving Safe in Central" Facebook group site.  The shirts are maroon and say "Driving Safe in Central" with a list of those Central area young people we have lost to whose memory this group and these shirts are dedicated.  Any profits from these shirts will be donated to the Danehower and Whiddon families.  Thank you to Cross Threads and Mrs. Donna Dufour for helping with the shirts, and thank you to Haleigh for taking action and for making a positive impact on our community.