The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program has awarded Johnston County a $20,000 grant to battle teen driving crashes. County spokesman Robin Gurgainus says there have been 39 teenagers killed in accidents in the past six years, giving Johnston the second-highest rate in the state.
"A lot of these accidents are single-car accidents due to speed and not wearing a seatbelt. You know, I was a paramedic for 5 years. If you don’t wear a seatbelt, a minor accident can kill you."
The money is going towards a peer-to-peer program where teenagers will be working in the county’s schools to teach other young people about safe driving habits.
"You know you usually have adults running the programs. The bottom line is kids are going to listen to other kids before they listen to us."