Nashua High students educated on distracted driving through ThinkFast
Students from Nashua High School North and South recently took part in ThinkFast Interactive, a two-day program designed to teach teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving. Courtesy photo
NASHUA – More than 1,600 sophomores and juniors from Nashua High School North and South recently took part in ThinkFast Interactive, a two-day program designed to teach teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving.
The program was hosted in concert with Southern New Hampshire Health and the state Department of Transportation.
“This partnership with Southern New Hampshire Health and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation brought an important learning opportunity to our schools,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mario Andrade. “The program opened up our students’ eyes to roadway safety in a way that was memorable and impactful, reinforcing lessons they can carry into their daily lives.”
Developed in 1997, ThinkFast uses a game show-style approach to keep students engaged. The program includes the use of large digital screens, music, a disc jockey and a live host.
The event also came at a crucial time as the number of teen fatalities caused by car crashes soared by 400 percent in 2024 compared to the prior year.
“As a not-for-profit health system, Southern New Hampshire Health understands that trauma care is about more than just medical treatment, it is about community trust, preparedness and education,” said Nurse Jennifer Marcotte, trauma program manager at Southern New Hampshire Health. “Trauma does not discriminate. The injuries we treat often stem from choices that could have been prevented. Educating teens through programs like this helps turn awareness into action, potentially saving lives.”
Mark Munroe, highway safety program manager for the DOT, said distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of teen car crashes.
“Partnerships like these bring safety education to life in a way that connects with students to make safer decisions behind the wheel,” he said. “Together, we can keep New Hampshire’s roads safe for everyone.”
