VCHD Hosts Third Annual Red Thumb Reminder Day

The Valley County Health Department, along with law enforcement partners with the Glasgow Police Department, Valley County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the Glasgow and Long-Run Fire Department, hosted the third annual Red Thumb Reminder Day in Glasgow April 10. According to Leslie Simensen with the Health Department, the event was attended by about 195 people and supported by 88 different students and community volunteers.

Designed to raise awareness about texting while driving, Red Thumb Day originated in Toole County. The idea is for participants to paint their thumbnails red or add red to their thumbs as a visual reminder not to text. "Our main activity was painting thumbnails red to remind each of us when we see our red thumbs, and are behind the wheel, to put down our phones and 'don't text and drive'," explained Simensen in a statement to the Courier.

This year, the health department expanded on previous years by incorporating law enforcement demonstrations to include impaired driving obstacle courses, seat belt collision simulators, jaws-of-life demonstrations and educational material on the risks of distracted driving. Another addition included free T-shirts that have been ordered and will be announced for pick up at the courthouse. Also taken were mug shot photos for participants that can also be picked up at the courthouse.

"We would like to thank our local law enforcement officers, Robert Weber of the GPD, and David Moon of Montana Highway Patrol, for giving presentations at Glasgow High School and Middle School the morning of April 10," said Simensen before also thanking MHP's Sgt Jeff Kent, for arranging a wrecked car exhibit that was on display at the high school and downtown for the Red Thumb Reminder Day walk.

Red Thumb Reminder Day was made possible by support from Nemont Telephone, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, TaxMasters, First Community Bank, Reynold's Market, the Busted Knuckle Brewery and the Loaded Toad. Simensen also pointed out that the day would not have been possible without the support of the community and volunteers from the community, GHS Jobs for Montana Graduates and Student Council as well as reACT coalition students.

Simensen ended her statement saying, "If we get one person to change their behavior or stop and think before they text and drive then we have made a difference."