It’s an oft-heard message around Johnston County of late: Teens need to be more careful when they drive.

But it’s a message that simply can’t be heard too much.

Last weekend’s crash demonstration in front of Clayton High School serves as a good reminder of the pain and anguish a traffic fatality can cause. The ripple effect through a victim’s circle of friends and family makes wave after wave.

Fortunately, the incessant drumbeat of caution has helped teen drivers take their responsibilities on the roads more seriously and there has been a steady decline in the number of teenagers dying on our roads.

But each year, a new crop of drivers gets behind the wheel and the existing teen drivers get more comfortable behind the wheel leading to decisions that can be dangerous. There will likely always be a need to drive home the point about cautious driving.

Last week’s demonstration was filmed and will be available for use in schools all over Johnston County.

That makes the local effort even more worthy of our praise.