The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) recently launched Phase Two of its children’s road safety education program known as “Street Smart;” a program developed in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education.
[Above photo by ARDOT]
The agency said Phase One of its Street Smart program launched ahead of the 2025-2026 school year with classroom materials and lesson plans for grades 6 through 8. Now, Phase Two expands the program for the 2026-2027 school year with a brand-new slate of materials for grades 9 through 12.
ARDOT said the high school materials come as one package that educators can use at any point during a student’s high school career.
They include 12 lessons, one interactive trivia game, and nine videos featuring real Arkansas teens.
The classroom materials are free upon request to any educator in Arkansas by visiting the program’s website: StreetSmartAR.org.
While the middle school curriculum focuses on pedestrian, bicycle, and passenger safety, the agency said the high school curriculum shifts the focus to the driver’s seat – covering situations new drivers may not have learned about on their driver’s test.
Topics include work zone safety, the dangers of speeding and impaired driving, what to do when pulled over, sharing the road with other vehicles, interacting with commercial motor vehicles, navigating roundabouts, and more.
“Education is an important pillar of roadway safety [and] the Street Smart program brings active and engaging lessons to young people and meets them where they are,” explained Jared Wiley, ARDOT director, in a statement. “My desire is that educators in Arkansas continue to learn about and incorporate these ready-built lessons into their curriculum. Together we can improve roadway safety in Arkansas for generations to come.”
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