Connect with us

Virginia

Teen Driver Safety: Navigating independence with caution in Virginia

Published

on

Teen Driver Safety: Navigating independence with caution in Virginia


ROANOKE, Va. – 907 people died in car crashes last year across Virginia, and while those numbers are a 10 percent decrease from 2022, the Commonwealth would like to do everything to keep them down starting with student drivers.

A new law called “Connor’s Law” passed in the general assembly last year requires parents and guardians to take a class about the dangers of distracted driving.

Saker’s Driving School Owner Gabe Saker said distracted driving is a major problem with teens who are always on social media. So, this law will help.

“Unfortunately, parents aren’t sometimes the best role models for their kids when it comes to cell phone use because they use it themselves,” said Saker.

Advertisement

Mattie Cox is 16 years old and is currently taking classes at Saker’s Driving School. She plans on getting her license in December. Her mom will even gift her one of her cars.

Cox looks forward to having more independence when she gets her license, but she fears being on the road.

“I’m really excited. It’s also kind of nerve-wracking because you can’t control how everybody else drives, but I’m very excited,” said Cox.

She took driver’s ed in December, and she had to take the distracted driving class last year with her mom.

Her mom Samatha Van Liew encourages other parents to take the distracted driving class, too.

Advertisement

“Parents need to stay involved. Go driving with your kids. Talk to them about different things. We’re very situational-based parents. So, my husband and I will both do that with our daughters,” said Van Liew.

Meanwhile, it’s National Teen Driver Safety Week.

10 News spoke with Saker about what you need to know if your teen is getting their license soon. He said don’t start in a difficult place.

“Go to a parking lot, get a feel for the break, the gas, and get the basic fundamentals. A lot of kids skip the fundamentals with turns, stops and lane changing. They try to just jump with just driving and it doesn’t come,” said Saker.

He said to eventually transition them out slowly to residential areas or parkways where there isn’t a lot of traffic.

Advertisement

Saker also said he notices that turning and not stopping right away are some of the trouble spots with new drivers.

He said parents should even monitor their kids’ maturity levels.

“Parents are the last resort,” said Saker.

In Virginia, you must be 15 years and six months old before you can apply for a learner’s permit and you have to take a knowledge test. To get your license, you have to be 16 years and three months old and have your learner’s permit for at least nine months before you can apply for the license.

Copyright 2024 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Virginia

Christmas Eve crooks burglarize Virginia electronics store

Published

on

Christmas Eve crooks burglarize Virginia electronics store


Detectives are asking for the community’s help identifying four thieves who broke into a business and stole electronics on Christmas Eve in Reston.

Fairfax County Police responded to a burglary alarm shortly after 5 a.m. on Dec. 24 at the PayMore electronics store along Reston Parkway. Officers determined that the suspects forced their way into the business and made off with merchandise.

Advertisement

The Criminal Investigations Division has released still images and surveillance video of the suspects in hopes of generating leads.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Reston Police Station at 703-478-0904 and ask to speak with a detective.

RestonCrime in the DMV
Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Virginia

WVU Loses Talented Young Offensive Lineman to the Transfer Portal

Published

on

WVU Loses Talented Young Offensive Lineman to the Transfer Portal


Friday morning, West Virginia On SI learned that West Virginia offensive lineman Kyle Altuner has entered his name into the transfer portal.

Altuner was expected to push for some playing time at center as a true freshman under the previous coaching staff until he suffered a lower-body injury that cost him several weeks and months of development.

Coming out of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland, Altuner chose the Mountaineers over offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Duke, Florida State, Liberty, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, NC State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, and several others.

He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Advertisement

Technically very sound football player. Seals and walls off defenders with ease in zone run blocking schemes, climbs quickly to the second level in gap schemes and pulls much better than your ordinary right tackle. The combination of his high-level diverse run-blocking scheme success and IQ make for a perfect fit at center, which is where he’ll play at West Virginia. Good knee bend and plays with consistent control and balance in pass sets that will translate even by kicking inside. I’d expect WVU to take full advantage of his athleticism and get him pulling consistently to lead the way in the run game. My number one recruit in this class for the Mountaineers. Very few concerns.

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

Tomas Rimac Follows Matt Moore to Virginia Tech

West Virginia set to Hire William Green as Defensive Line Coach

Chad Scott Returning to West Virginia

West Virginia Offers Sam Houston Defensive Line Transfer Chris Murray

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Virginia

Virginia hospital halts NICU admissions after babies found with ‘unexplainable fractures’

Published

on

Virginia hospital halts NICU admissions after babies found with ‘unexplainable fractures’


A hospital in Virginia shut down its neonatal intensive care unit after three pre-term babies were found with “unexplainable fractures” – more than a year after several newborns suffered similar injuries. 

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation after medical officials made the disturbing discovery in late November and December. 

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time,” the hospital said in a statement on its website, adding that it informed families, authorities and regulatory agencies of their findings. 

“While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.”

Advertisement
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation. Henrico Doctors’ Hospital

The medical center said the injuries shared similarities to an incident involving four babies last summer, explaining that they are taking immediate steps to enhance safety measures in the hospital wing.

Safety improvements include mandatory training for staff who interact with minors, refined examinations, new security, an observer system, and live-streaming technology allowing parents to view their babies.

Footage from the NICU has also been provided to “proper authorities,” with healthcare professionals reviewing hospital surveillance, the medical center said.

“The process is thorough and time-consuming, but they are making steady progress,” the hospital wrote.

The medical center said the injuries shared similarities to an incident involving four babies (none pictured) last summer. Iryna – stock.adobe.com
The Virginia Department of Health, along with state police, is also probing the unsettling situation. Henrico Doctors’ Hospital

“So far during our review of the videos, no misconduct or accidental actions have been found. The safety of our NICU babies is our highest priority and we are actively working to pursue additional precautions to prevent any future incidents.”

Advertisement

The Virginia Department of Health, along with state police, is also probing the unsettling situation, according to Fox Richmond.

Henrico police said no charges have been filed.

“Henrico County is prepared to utilize all available resources to ensure a thorough investigation,” police said in a statement to the outlet.

“Henrico police are partnering with Child Protective Services within Henrico’s Department of Social Services, Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Health Department, and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure all evidence is examined meticulously.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending