United Way of Seneca County has received a 2026 Partners for Safety Award for its “Don’t Be a D Student” campaign, which teaches local high school students about dangerous driving.
Sarah Smolinski and Karen Burcroff accepted the award for the campaign they created, according to United Way.
The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee presented the award at the New York State Highway Safety Symposium. The weeklong campaign focuses on four dangers: driving drunk, drugged, distracted or drowsy.
Organizers say it reaches students in grades nine through 12, with a different danger highlighted each day and informational lawn signs added near school entrances.
The campaign has changed from year to year over six years. Activities have included displaying crashed cars on school campuses, hanging posters, making school announcements and distributing information to parents during morning drop-off.
One day each year includes a schoolwide assembly. Past assemblies have featured guest speakers or panels with local law enforcement representatives and the district attorney’s office, the organizers said. Seneca County schools and local police departments have participated in the campaign.
New York State Police have also brought a “convincer” and rollover demonstration. STOP-DWI grants have helped bring the Save-a-Life simulator tour to schools.
The organizers said repeated lessons across multiple days and school years are intended to reinforce the warnings over time.
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