Bismarck, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — On Thursday (Mar 14, 2013) the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) sponsored safe driving presentations at Jamestown and Valley City Schools.

Nationally known speaker, Tyler Presnell of Washington, spoke to the students.

At the age of 14, Presnell was involved in a car crash that has left him with a permanent brain injury that affected his short-term memory.

Presnell, who shared his story, and travels the country speaking to students about the importance of traffic safety and making positive choices involving motor vehicles.

Valley City Junior High Principal, Dan Larson, and Jamestown High School Principal, Bill Nold said, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading preventable cause of death among 15 to 19 year olds in North Dakota. This is why it was important to bring this traffic safety presentation here today – to protect the future of our students.”

The NDDOT has provided resources to develop a new safety program centered on teens, called “Think About It.”

The “Think About It” slogan and associated activity was developed by a youth committee consisting of four students from Bismarck High School and Century High School.

The committee decided on the “Think About It” slogan to urge teens to think about their actions rather than simply telling them what, or what not, to do.

The goal of the initiative is to decrease the number of crashes and fatalities involving teens on North Dakota roadways.