GATESVILLE – Gates County Schools and Gates County Emergency Service are joining forces with several other local and state agencies to present a unique program aimed at reducing teen deaths in automobile accidents.

VIP for a VIP, Inc. will present a “VIP for a VIP Program” at Gates County High School on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Over 40 percent of teen deaths occur in motor vehicle accidents.  Most of these are the result of a poor driving decision and are preventable.

At next week’s program, the Gatesville Fire Department, Gates County EMS, Gates County Sheriff’s Office, NC Highway Patrol, NC Wildlife, Gates County Schools and other sponsors will present an informative, moving program for young adult drivers and their families in an effort to prevent future tragedies.

First Sgt. Mike Warren of the Highway Patrol’s Troop A / District II office in Ahoskie said the Gates County students will learn first-hand of the horrors that parents and other family members live with in the wake of a fatal accident that claimed the life or lives of a loved one.

Warren said the mother of two young men who were tragically killed in June of 2013 while en route to one of her son’s graduation at Bertie High School will be among the featured speakers at the Gates County event.

The VIP for a VIP program (Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person) consists of testimony from area emergency services, video and powerpoint presentations in the school gym at 9:45 a.m. followed by an outside re-enactment of a fatal teen accident at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot. Students and parents are encouraged to complete and return the “VIP Contract for Life” which asks the student to adhere to safe driving, a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, and calling the parent before driving impaired.  The parent is asked to respond respectfully to assure the student gets home safely.

This program is dedicated to the students that have lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents while attending Gates County High School.  Officials sincerely believe that the strong message of the VIP for a VIP program will embed the consequences of bad driving habits into the minds of these teenage drivers and reduce these senseless accidents in our community.

For more information on the VIP for a VIP program, contact Teresa Madden at 919-291-5876.