BikeWalkNC

North Carolina’s advocate for safe cycling and walking

BikeWalkNC

Friendly Driver Program Drives Change: Quarterly Recap and Highlights

Over the past quarter, the Friendly Driver Program has continued to grow and reach new audiences—all with the goal of fostering safer roads through education and understanding.

Thanks to grant funding and strong local partnerships, our program has reached two of our priority counties this spring. Last quarter, we reached 461 new student drivers through 11 in-classroom presentations delivered in collaboration with high school Driver’s Education programs. These young drivers walked away with tools and awareness that help create safer conditions for everyone on the road—whether behind the wheel, on foot, or on a bike.

Led by Program Manager Oliver Sendall, our team facilitated engaging and informative sessions that break down real-world scenarios and provide simple, practical guidance for everyday travel:

  • Motorist driving habits that affect people who bike and pedestrians;
  • Explanation of common bicyclist practices;
  • How to avoid common crashes between motorists and vulnerable road users;
  • Active transportation infrastructure (like bike lanes); and Complete Streets concepts.

These sessions are strengthened by the relationships we’ve built with local educators who see firsthand how this information resonates with students. They’ve described our sessions as “engaging,” “real,” and “a helpful extension of the Driver’s Ed curriculum.”

As we look toward the rest of the year, we’re continuing to connect with more school systems, organizations, and community leaders who want to help make North Carolina’s roads safer. The Friendly Driver Program is available both in person and virtually, making it easy to bring these important conversations to your classroom or community—wherever you are in the state.

Special thanks to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program—our program wouldn’t be possible without their support.

Want to host a session?
Email us at programs@bikewalknc.org to get started.

Your Attention Saves Lives: Take the Pledge Against Distracted Driving

Every day, distracted driving leads to crashes, injuries, and preventable tragedies on our roads. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time to recognize the dangers of inattention behind the wheel and commit to safer driving habits.

At BikeWalk NC, we know that distracted driving doesn’t just put drivers at risk—it endangers pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Whether it’s glancing at a phone, adjusting the radio, eating, or simply letting your mind wander, taking your attention off the road for even a few seconds can have devastating consequences.

North Carolina law prohibits texting and emailing while driving and restricts the use of cell phones for drivers under 18. For adult drivers, the only legal use of a mobile device while driving is for navigation or emergency purposes. Violating this law can result in fines and penalties.

N.C. General Statute § 20-137.4A states:

  • It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone for texting or emailing while driving.
  • It is illegal for drivers under 18 to use a mobile phone for any purpose other than emergencies.
  • Hands-free use is not explicitly banned, but any distraction that leads to reckless or inattentive driving can result in penalties.

What You Can Do:

  • Put the phone away – Use “Do Not Disturb” mode or keep your phone out of reach while driving.
  • Plan ahead – Set up navigation and music before you start driving.
  • Stay present – Avoid eating, grooming, or other distractions.
  • Take action – If you see distracted driving, address it.
  • Be a role model – Safe habits influence others to drive responsibly.

Take the Pledge

Make a commitment to drive distraction-free. Small changes in behavior can save lives. Together, we can make North Carolina’s roads safer for everyone.

Join us in spreading awareness. Share this message, talk to your friends and family, and most importantly—stay focused, stay safe.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Protect Active Transportation Funding!

Protect active transportation funding from decisions made in Washington DC and restore access to active transportation funding here in North Carolina. 

We need your voice now!

At the National Level,

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced plans to freeze discretionary grants that are not fully obligated—specifically those connected to biking, transportation programs, and certain technology investments. This could affect important projects across North Carolina, including funding for sidewalks, greenways, trails, and other transportation improvements.

We need North Carolina’s Senators and Representatives to push back against this funding freeze and state legislative changes that would allow NCDOT to fund active transportation projects.

Contact your Senators and urge them to demand transparency from USDOT and to protect all funding for active transportation projects:

You may also sign the League of American Bicyclists’ petition to support active transportation here.

At the State Level,

Proposed changes to G.S. 136-189.10(2)g. and G.S. 136-189.11(d)(3)c. would remove restrictions on state financial support for independent bicycle and pedestrian projects. These updates would allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to use federal and local funds to support walking and biking projects, making it easier for municipalities to invest in better transportation options.

For years, state law has blocked NCDOT from funding stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects, leaving communities without the resources they need to improve safety and connectivity. Right now H282 would restore flexibility for local governments to access state funding for critical infrastructure improvements. 

Find and contact your state representatives using BikeWalk NC’s 2025 Advocacy Manual, to ask them to support the change requested in H282 here in North Carolina. 

Act now—contact your representatives today! Together our voices are strong.

Making North Carolina’s Roads Safer: The Impact of the Friendly Driver Program

Designed to educate motorists on safely sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, the program fosters safer and more inclusive streets across North Carolina. Last year alone, 687 attendees participated in FDP workshops, each taking an important step toward building a culture of awareness and respect on our roads.

The Friendly Driver Program is a one-hour interactive course covering essential road-sharing topics, including:

  • Common crash scenarios and how to prevent them
  • The legal rights and responsibilities of all road users
  • Practical strategies to reduce conflicts and improve road safety

Throughout 2024, we expanded the program’s reach by hosting workshops across the state and virtually, making the course more accessible than ever. We also strengthened collaborations with local organizations and redesigned our presentation materials to enhance the learning experience.

One of our most impactful partnerships has been with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS). Over the past year, Oliver Sendall, BWNC’s Program Manager, and our team have collaborated with Driver’s Education classes to equip young drivers with the essential knowledge to safely navigate around bicyclists and pedestrians.

“We have been scheduling Oliver and his team from BikeWalkNC for approximately a year now.” said Charlie Jarman, WS/FCS Driver’s Education Coordinator. “They have a very professional and informative, approximately one-hour presentation that the students seem to enjoy, and it keeps them engaged. They spend about thirty minutes on things bicyclists are supposed to do, and how drivers can make the roads safer for them. They also cover the same safety information for pedestrians. This complements what our teachers are covering. They cover some things that are not in our textbook or handbook. After their presentation they have plenty of time for questions from the students. This will definitely help make the roads safer for everyone.”

Community members have also seen the program’s value firsthand. Joey Lawson, a WS/FCS Driver’s Education Instructor and local cyclist, shared: “BikeWalk NC engages with the students in a very professional and positive manner. As an avid cyclist, I have seen how this program benefits both drivers and those of us who ride. Moving forward, I hope WS/FCS continues this partnership with BikeWalk NC.”

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring the Friendly Driver Program to even more communities. With your support, we can continue to educate drivers, prevent crashes, and make North Carolina’s roads safer for everyone.

Interested in hosting or attending a Friendly Driver Program session?
Contact us at programs@BikeWalkNC.org.

Annalisa Sims’ Research on Driver Education and Road Safety

How well are young drivers in North Carolina being trained to safely share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable users? That’s the question BikeWalk NC board member and UNC Chapel Hill student Annalisa Sims is exploring in her ongoing research.

On February 12th, Annalisa presented her preliminary findings at the 2025 NCDOT Research and Innovation Symposium, held at NC State’s McKimmon Center. Her study examines how North Carolina’s Driver Education program prepares students to navigate multimodal road environments, evaluating both the curriculum’s technical components and its influence on young drivers’ perceptions of non-motorized road users.

By analyzing North Carolina’s written curriculum, comparing it to leading programs in other states, and interviewing driver education instructors, Annalisa is identifying key gaps and opportunities for improvement. Her research underscores the need for a stronger emphasis on multimodal safety in driver education—aligning with NCDOT’s 2024 Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which prioritizes public education as a key strategy for reducing traffic injuries and fatalities.

As part of her work, Annalisa is developing a policy paper outlining recommendations to modernize North Carolina’s driver education curriculum. Her findings support BikeWalk NC’s advocacy for evidence-based policies that ensure all road users—whether on foot, bike, or behind the wheel—can travel safely and responsibly.

BikeWalk NC remains committed to advancing safer streets through education and policy change! We’re proud of Annalisa’s important research and her dedication to making North Carolina’s roads safer for everyone.

see annalisa’s research poster
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