• Home
  • Activities
    • Activities - NE Trailblazer Conference
    • Activities - NSAA Academic All-State
    • Activities - TBC Academic All-Conference
    • Activities - NSAA/NSCS Multi-Activity Award
    • Activities - Parent Information
      • Activities - Parent Information - Communication
      • Activities - Parent Information - Participation Forms
    • Activities - Random Drug Testing
    • Activities - School Athletic Records
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Baseball
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Boys Basketball
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Boys Golf
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Boys Track & Field
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Cross Country
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Football
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Girls Basketball
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Girls Golf
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Girls Track & Field
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Softball
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Volleyball
      • Activities - School Athletic Records - Wrestling
    • Activities - Arts
      • Activities - Arts - Fine Arts Staff
      • Activities - Arts - Band & Choir
      • Activities - Arts - Musical
      • Activities - Arts - One Act Play Production
      • Activities - Arts - Speech
    • Activities - Athletics
    • Activities - Clubs & Organizations
    • Activities - Lifting & Conditioning
      • Activities - Lifting & Conditioning - Program Verification
      • Activities - Lifting & Conditioning - Records
      • Activities - Lifting & Conditioning - Summer Lifting Teams
      • Activities - Lifting & Conditioning - Summer Weight Room
    • Activities - Booster Clubs
      • Activities - Booster Clubs - Athletic
      • Activities - Booster Clubs - Music
  • Calendar
  • Community
    • Community - Community Links
    • Community - Wahoo's Famous Sons
  • District
    • District - District News
    • District - Employment & Applications
    • District - 1:1 Program
      • District - 1:1 Program - Introduction
      • District - 1:1 Program - FAQ
    • District - Administration
    • District - Board of Education
    • District - Construction
    • District - COVID/ESSER
    • District - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
    • District - English Lang. Learners (ELL)
    • District - Facility Usage
    • District - Faculty Handbook
    • District - High Ability Learning (HAL)
    • District - Mission
    • District - Space in the Community
    • District - Supt. Transparency Act
    • District - Teacher Forms
    • District - TeamMates
      • District - TeamMates - TeamMates Website
      • District - TeamMates - Program Overview
      • District - TeamMates - FAQs
      • District - TeamMates - DONATE NOW
      • District - TeamMates - Apply to be a Mentor!
      • District - TeamMates - Student Mentee Application
      • District - TeamMates - Mentor Resources
    • District - Title I Plan
    • District - WPS Foundation
  • Schools
    • Schools - Alternative School
    • Schools - Elementary
      • Schools - Elementary - Class Lessons
      • Schools - Elementary - Pre-School / Head Start
      • Schools - Elementary - PTO
      • Schools - Elementary - Reading Interventions
      • Schools - Elementary - Special News
      • Schools - Elementary - Staff Contact Information
      • Schools - Elementary - Supply Lists
      • Schools - Elementary - Title I Plan
      • Schools - Elementary - Warrior Dads
    • Schools - Middle School
      • Schools - Middle School - Bell & Teacher Schedules
      • Schools - Middle School - Daily Bulletin
      • Schools - Middle School - Honor Roll
      • Schools - Middle School - Newsletter
      • Schools - Middle School - Staff Contact Information
      • Schools - Middle School - Student Awards
      • Schools - Middle School - Student/Parent Handbook
      • Schools - Middle School - Supply Lists
      • Schools - Middle School - Latest News
    • Schools - High School
      • Schools - High School - 2024-2025 Curriculum Guide
      • Schools - High School - Academic Hall of Fame
      • Schools - High School - Achievers
      • Schools - High School - Alumni
      • Schools - High School - Bell & Teacher Schedules
      • Schools - High School - Classroom Highlights
      • Schools - High School - Counselor
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - WMS/WHS Vision & Mission
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - ACT/SAT Testing
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - Career Explorations Opportunities (CEOs) Program
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - Career Information
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - College & Scholarship Info
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - Forms
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - Social/Emotional/School Safety Resources
        • Schools - High School - Counselor - Transcript Requests
      • Schools - High School - Daily Bulletin
      • Schools - High School - Extended Learning
        • Schools - High School - Extended Learning - Career Academy (SENCAP)
        • Schools - High School - Extended Learning - Career Explorations Opportunities (CEOs) Program
        • Schools - High School - Extended Learning - Dual-Credit Courses
        • Schools - High School - Extended Learning - SCC Learning Center
        • Schools - High School - Extended Learning - UNL Nebraska Now
      • Schools - High School - Fitness & Wellness
      • Schools - High School - Honor Roll
      • Schools - High School - News
      • Schools - High School - Semester Exam Schedule
      • Schools - High School - Senior Class
      • Schools - High School - Staff Contact Information
      • Schools - High School - Student/Parent Handbook
      • Schools - High School - Supply Lists
      • Schools - High School - WHS Profile
      • Schools - High School - WPS Assemblies
      • Schools - High School - Yearbook Archive
  • Media Center
    • Schools - Media Center - APA/MLA Research
    • Schools - Media Center - Digital Resources
    • Schools - Media Center - eBooks
    • Schools - Media Center - Government Resources
    • Schools - Media Center - Mission & Procedures (Selection/Intellectual Freedom/Weeding)
    • Schools - Media Center - Reference Resources
    • Schools - Media Center - Search the Library
    • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - ACT Practice Tests
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Art, Music & Technology
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Geography
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Government
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Information & Reference
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Language Arts
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Mathematics
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 PE, Health & Fitness
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Science
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - K-12 Social Studies
      • Schools - Media Center - Teacher & Student Online Resource Center - Multimedia
    • Schools - Media Center - Video Conferencing
  • Parents
    • Schools - Parents - Activity Tickets
    • Schools - Parents - Bus Stops
    • Schools - Parents - e-Funds (Online Payment)
    • Schools - Parents - English Lang. Learners (ELL)
    • Schools - Parents - Free/Reduced Lunch
    • Schools - Parents - Health & Immunizations
    • Schools - Parents - Kindergarten Readiness
      • Schools - Parents - Kindergarten Readiness - Getting Ready for Kindergarten - NDE
      • Schools - Parents - Kindergarten Readiness - NDE Kindergarten Readiness
      • Schools - Parents - Kindergarten Readiness - WPS Early Entrance Application and Consent
    • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center
      • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center - Health & Wellness
      • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center - Internet & Technology Safety
      • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center - Social/Emotional/School Safety Resources
      • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center - Substance Abuse Education
      • Schools - Parents - Parent Resource Center - Supporting Academic Success
    • Schools - Parents - SCIP
    • Schools - Parents - Standard Response Protocol
    • Schools - Parents - Student Handbooks
    • Schools - Parents - Summer Athletic Camps
    • Schools - Parents - Supply Lists
    • Schools - Parents - WEBSS
    • Schools - Parents - Youth Assistance Program
  • PowerSchool
    • Schools - PowerSchool - Student / Parent PowerSchool Login
    • Schools - PowerSchool - Administrator PowerSchool Login
    • Schools - PowerSchool - Substitute Teacher PowerSchool Login
    • Schools - PowerSchool - Teacher PowerSchool Login
  • WPS Enrollment
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Directory
  • Archives
  • Parent Teacher Conferences
Quick Links
Skip to main contentSkip to navigation
Main Navigation
MenuMenu Toggle
Toggle extra links
    • Current conditions as of 8 May 23:55 pm CDT

      Fair

      Location:Wahoo
      Feels like:NA°
      Humidity:57
      Wind:E 5 mph
      Fair61°
      Overnight
      Mostly clear, with a low around 48. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
      Friday
      Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon.
      Friday Night
      Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
      Weather forecast provided by weather.gov.
  • Sign In Sign In Link

Wahoo Public Schools

Return to home

Wahoo Public Schools Logo

  • Elementary
  • Middle School
  • High School
  • Activities Calendar
  • PowerSchool
  • District Employment
  • Students
    • Bookflix
    • Canvas
    • Clever Button
    • Code.org
    • Common Sense Media
    • Discovery Education
    • District Library Catalog
    • eBook Elem
    • eBooks MIDDLE/HIGH
    • EduTyping
    • Gale Cengage Learning
    • Google Education
    • Holt McDougal
    • I Need to See Mrs. Klepper
    • IXL
    • NebraskAccess ELEM/MS
    • NebraskAccess HS
    • NWEA
    • OnToCollege
    • PebbleGo
    • Power of ICU
    • Starfall
    • Think Central
    • Turnitin.com
    • Vocabulary.com
    • World Book Online
  • Families
    • E-Funds for Schools
    • eDirect
    • GoFan Button
    • Head Start
    • Hudl
    • MTSS
    • New Activities Calendar 2
    • Warriors Apparel via Rivalry
    • WHS Music Page
    • WPS Enrollment
    • WPS Foundation
    • YouTube Channel
  • District
    • Educlimber
    • Facility Reservation
    • Lunch Menu
    • TeachBoost
    • Teacher & Staff Forms
    • Time Clock

Parents

  1. Home Link
  2. breadcrumbs: Parents
  3. breadcrumbs: Parent Resource Center
  4. breadcrumbs: Health & Wellness

Website Navigation   As Staff Page Only

Set as Default Template Help

 

HTML Editor:

Your session will expire in 0 minutes.

Feature & Share

Working...

Ajax Loading Image

 

Tips for Teens: Driving Requires More Than Just a Set of Car Keys and a License

by Alison Thomsen on March 16, 2009

With spring on our doorsteps, and warm weather right around the corner, Wahoo High School students are ready to slide behind the wheel, roll down their windows, and cruise the square. Whether you’re driving by yourself, or with a couple of friends, you need to constantly be aware of other drivers, exhibit caution, and limit your distractions.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, ranking above homicide and suicide at 38 percent. Just this last year, Allstate reported over 5,000 deaths among teenagers, all attributed to motor vehicle accidents. Of that 5,000, 51 came from Nebraska alone, ranking it 34 out of the 50 states.

Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz believes the main reason for Nebraska’s ranking is the result of student drivers’ lack of experience combined with overconfidence.

“They drive too fast, not taking [driving] seriously, and are overconfident in their driving ability,” said Stukenholtz.

There are some things students can do to lower the number of motor vehicle related deaths.

“More students driving with their parents is the most effective way, because you are logging more hours behind the wheel,” said Stukenholtz.

With so many motor vehicle accidents among teenagers, organizations have made it their mission to decrease the estimated 5,000 yearly motor vehicle deaths. Awareness groups are spreading knowledge about safe driving through community meetings, teen involvement, and Internet training.

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles is also ensuring a safer driving environment for teens by revising driving laws. There are steps that you, as a driver, can also take.

Buckling your seatbelt, and making sure all your passengers are also buckled up, increases your safety in a crash by 45 percent. When you are driving, check your speedometer, because speeding triples your chances of being in a car crash.

Another step towards being a safer driver is keeping your cool. Bad drivers can easily become an annoyance, but don’t succumb to road rage because aggressive driving doubles your odds of causing an accident.

A big part in keeping safe on the road is getting rid of distractions. When you are distracted, your eyes are taken away from the road. Glancing away from the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of causing a car accident.

There are many distractions that you can do away with. You can leave your radio station, or CD, alone, and not eat or drink while you drive.

Randy Shada, instructor for Saunders County Driving School, views cell phones as being students’ biggest distraction because texting, calling friends, and surfing the web are constant temptations. Shada agrees with Stukenholtz that overconfidence is students’ biggest downfall when it comes to driving.

“They are too overconfident. They think they can handle any type of weather,” said Shada. “They don’t slowdown. They think they can handle the regular speed limit, but they don’t know how to drive in this snow.”

With prom on the horizon, Wahoo High School students need to be aware of the biggest distraction: passengers. For each passenger in your car, your chances of crashing increase by three to five times. Last year alone, Allstate reported nearly half of all fatal crashes involved one or more teen passengers. This is an important fact to remember when plans are being made to car pool to dinner before the dance.

So what can students do to ensure a safe passage before and after the dance?

“The biggest thing is not to be distracted,” said Wahoo High School principal Chris Arent. “You have to pay attention to your driving. That is the [driver’s] responsibility. The driver’s primary focus is to get everyone there safely.”

Students’ golden ticket for entrance into prom and post prom, is the breathalyzer test that will be waiting at the door. One of the most important factors in safe driving is leaving alcohol behind. Alcohol is a factor in nearly 25 percent of deadly teenage crashes. That is 1,250 out of the 5,000 fatal teen car crashes this last year.

After consuming just one alcoholic beverage, your reaction time is slower, and your ability to judge is no longer clear with the consumption of alcohol. Driving under the influence endangers not only your life, but also the lives of your passengers and the other drivers on the road.

So with longer days and warmer weather approaching, keep yourself and others safe by exercising safe driving. Ryan Buckholtz, creator of TeenDriving.com, offers these words of wisdom, “Don’t drive like you own the road, drive like you own the car.”

Information received from Allstate, AAA, CDC, DMV and AAA Living magazine.

Tips for Teens: Driving Requires More Than Just a Set of Car Keys and a License

No comments have been added yet. Please add yours!

Author Bio

View More Headlines
More Headlines
Wahoo Public Schools CLOSED for the remainder of 2019-2020
Wahoo Elementary joins forces with SMC for "Youth Be Well!" program
New behavioral health program now available to WPS students
District implements new head lice procedures
Protect yourself from enteroviruses
Link to Nebraska State Patrol Registry Site
Parent & Teen Driver Fact Sheet
Carbon Monoxide is a Killer
Watcha Doin?
Nebraska's Healthy Economy in Face of International Recession Highlighted in British Newscast
Teen Choking - Not Just a Game
The Bullies and the Bullied
Kids Connection - Reaching for a Healthy Future
Fun Summer Days!
Student Athletes & Parents Strongly Encouraged to Know the Risks/Signs/Symptoms/Treatments of Concussion
Strike a Chord for Health
Parents Encouraged to Learn True "Social Norms" of Teenagers
Over 50% of WPS Staff Now Know Their Numbers
Three Rivers Confirms Two Cases of Salmonella in Saunders & Washington Counties
Nebraska Posts One of the Highest Death Rates of Carbon Monoxide Poisonings in the United States
Diet Danger: High Fructose Corn Syrup
Students Lacking Education on Healthy Relationships
WANTED: INFORMATION ON MIP PARTIES
'Meanest Mom on Planet' Sells Son's Car
Keeping Portions Under Control
Make Time to Read to Your Children!
"Family Day - A Day to Eat with Your Children": A National Initiative to Remind Parents that What Your Kids Really Want at the Dinner Table is YOU!
Parents Be Aware: 'The Choking Game' Poses Dangerous Threat to Local Youth
Government Releases MyPyramid to Stress Importance of Nutrition and Exercise
Nutrition -- Energy and Sports Drinks Attack Enamel

Sign up for our Newsletter

Wahoo Public Schools2201 N. Locust StreetWahoo, NE  68066PH: 402-443-3051
Fax: 402-443-4731
FacebookTwitterInstagram
SOCS-Simplified Online Communication System  (socs02)SOCS-Simplified Online Communication System  (socs02)SOCS Logo Link© 2025 Wahoo Public SchoolsAccessibilityPrivacy Pledge
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
wahooschools.socs.net