Share the Road - Risky Behavior | olm-olmatters2014-15

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OLMobility 2.0

SHARE THE ROAD - RISKY BEHAVIOR

OLMobility, a project developed by Our Lady of Mercy students in 2014, is going into its second year. Having previously focused on road safety (http://www.olm-olmatters2013-2014.com/#!olmobility-share-the-road---share-the-i/c1wet) the ongoing OLMobility 2.0 addresses crucial issues towards the development of youth responsible behaviors while driving, such as the misuse of cellphones, and drink-driving.

It is common knowledge that, during teenage years, individuals tend to make choices that can heavily influence their futures, whether it is in a positive or negative way. This is also a time when responsibilities and duties should be taken into account. Having a responsible behavior in traffic, for example, is something that must be done and encouraged. Being aware that one should not text nor drink when driving can make all the difference in a teenager’s or young adult’s life as well.

Our Ideas

Considering relevant data analyzed from DPVAT reports, a Brazilian organization responsible for indemnifying victims, the OLMobility 2.0 team aimed to discuss Risky Behaviors in traffic.

It is common knowledge that during teenage years, individuals tend to make choices that can heavily influence their futures, whether in a positive or negative way. This is also a time when responsibilities and duties should be taken into account. Having a responsible behavior in traffic is an attitude that must be done and encouraged.

Being aware that one should not text or drink when driving can make all the difference in a teenager’s or young adult’s life as well.

Since the project directly portrayed Rio de Janeiro in its first year, the OLMobility 2.0 team chose to focus on this growing problem in Brazil: the number of fatal car accidents involving teenagers and young adults is growing at a fast rate.

Our Initiatives

The OLMobility 2.0 team took several actions to raise awareness to the concerns it addresses.

Firstly, an original song was created inspired by a bus crash accident, in Carrollton, Kentucky, USA.Then, a film was developed, focusing on the impact of having a responsible behavior and making the right choices. This film shows the story of a mother, experiencing deep pain because of a nightmare she had about her son. In this nightmare, her son was driving under the influence of alcohol, causing a horrible accident with a school bus full of kids.

Regarding accessibility, middle school students produced a second film telling the story of a driver while incorporating the handshapes of the fingerspelled alphabet – using Libras, the Brazilian Sign Language – into the story.

Our school’s International Festival was the perfect occasion to discuss this common issue on the streets around the world - since it was an event that embraced several nationalities and customs. The students created an original cheer and flash mob to surprise and engage the OLM community present in the fair.

The team invented two mascots - Moby and Safy - and a brochure containing Safety tips for kids to be distributed during a PE class when the students performed a practical traffic experience.

Finally, the project was presented to our Middle and High School students followed by a lecture, given by a nurse who works in an emergency public hospital.

Make the right choice !!!

The project expected to show teenagers and young adults that what they can - and will do - will make a huge difference in their lives. It is also very important to understand that everyone has a choice and that the choices made now will still matter later. Making the right choices - deciding not to drink and drive, not using your cellphone while driving, and respecting traffic laws and signs - saves lives.

The OLMobility 2.0 truly hopes to have impacted positively people’s lives!

Ms. Elizabeth Freire & Ms. Sandra Xavier

Teacher advisors

OLMobility 2.0 Final Report PDF version

Accessibility is also part of the OLMobility 2.0 project.

The movie below tells a story of a driver while

incorporating the handshapes of the

fingerspelled alphabet - using LIBRAS,

the Brazilian Sign Language - into the story

by Natalia Guedes and Maria Eduarda Vilhena - class of '21