Fremd mascot urges students to drive safely

Fremd High School promotes safe driving habits for students and the community through programs including Operation Click and Operation Teen Safe Driving.

On Friday, March 18, the last school day prior to the weeklong spring break, the school’s mascot, Victor E. Viking, reminded drivers to buckle up.

This reminder supported the efforts of the Palatine Police Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “St. Patrick’s Day Holiday Traffic Safety Campaign.”

Surveys conducted during the school year revealed that Fremd students buckle up 97.8 percent of the time, while the Illinois Department of Transportation website states that Cook County residents had a seat belt usage rate of 92.6 percent in 2010.

Palatine Police Officer Dave Bloomfield, who serves as Fremd High School’s police consultant, offered this advice.

“While investigating serious crashes, I have witnessed injuries that could have been much less severe if only the person would have taken the time to properly wear their seat belts.”

“Too often teenagers feel they are invincible,” said Fremd Assistant Principal Eric Dolen. “Our goal with this reminder is not to scare them, but to hopefully guide them toward making good decisions that maximize their personal safety and well-being.”