Members of the University of Utah’s Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapter recently took transportation engineering to the racetrack to help promote safer roads through hands-on community outreach.

The group hosted a road safety event at the Utah Motorsports Campus, engaging high school students participating in a go-karting program. The session, titled “Road Safety Functions: Why Defensive Driving Matters,” focused on building awareness around safe driving behaviors and the responsibilities that come with being behind the wheel.

Through interactive discussions and real-world scenarios, ITE students introduced key concepts such as defensive driving techniques, the dangers of distracted driving, and the role environmental factors—like weather and road conditions—play in safety. Demonstrations and conversations were designed to connect these ideas to students’ everyday experiences and future driving decisions.

The outreach highlights the ITE student chapter’s commitment to community engagement and education, while also emphasizing the critical role civil and transportation engineers play in improving public safety. By bringing engineering concepts into accessible, real-world settings, the group is helping prepare the next generation of safer, more informed drivers.