16,000 teen drivers put down their phones and listened By Wavelyn Dreher
Cherokee
Ranch & Castle Foundation
With spectacular views, charming elegance, and surprises around every corner, your visit to Cherokee Ranch & Castle will be an experience you’ll treasure for years. Join us for Cultural Performances, Adult and Youth Education Programs, Castle Tours, Afternoon Teas, Business Meetings, Group Retreats and Holiday Parties.
Visit our website for our full Schedule of Events
www.cherokeeranch.org
Reservations Hotline: (303) 688-4600. Call Today.
Limited Seating. 8 EnCompass July/August 2012
www.AAA.com
Tyler Presnell (kneeling on left) spoke at 23 schools statewide.
T
Tyler Presnell’s younger sister screamed “slow down!” but Tyler, 14—more concerned about being “cool” than safe—sat silent in the back seat while their young, inexperienced driver recklessly raced the roller-coaster road near their homes. The driver lost control and slid sideways into a telephone pole. Tyler took
the brunt of the horrifi c impact. He suffered a traumatic brain injury that, after six weeks in a coma followed by 22 surgeries, left him with no short- term memory and a paralyzed leg. Tyler, now 27, shares his story with teenagers, reciting his own poetry (see
one of them on p. 9), telling jokes on himself, even displaying his injuries. His goal: Get his audience to speak up if you’re frightened by a driver’s behavior, and show respect for other drivers on the roads. Tyler spoke to 16,000 students at 23 Colorado high schools statewide dur-
ing prom and graduation season. I joined him on many of these presenta- tions (AAA Colorado was a co-sponsor of the tour, along with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the state’s Regional Emergency and Trauma Advisory Councils). I’ve never been so inspired by a guest speaker. And I wasn’t the only one impressed with Tyler: From one student’s Facebook profi le: Tyler is a life changer for sure. I was
expecting another boring assembly but I’m glad he came because he changed my total outlook on how I saw things. I am also changing the way I act as a passenger. I am going to speak up when I feel uncomfortable. Thanks so much, Tyler! For more information on teen driving, visit Keys2Drive at www.teen
driving.AAA.com. Information about Colorado’s graduated drivers licensing laws can be found at
www.COteendriver.com.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56