Safe Communities partners, LaFollette High School and Madison Police Department, launch Alive at 25 high school program
October 21, 2010
Safe Communities partners announced the launch of an innovative teen safe driving program at LaFollette High School today. For the first time in Wisconsin, Alive at 25, a four-hour defensive driving course shown to significantly reduce crashes among participating teen drivers, will be offered at LaFollette and other area high schools to families interested in keeping their young drivers safe.
right: LaFollette student, Brett, being interviewed by Channel 15.
According to Cheryl Wittke, Safe Communities director, partners are enthusiastic about Alive at 25, a National Safety Council course, because “it takes driver education to the next level by giving young drivers and passengers tools to extract themselves from risky situations in cars with peers.”
Wittke noted that while studies of traditional drivers education show no difference in crash experience, Alive at 25 course participants are 96% less likely to be involved in a serious crash. Wittke noted that the goal of offering the course at area high schools “is to change attitudes and build skills before young drivers end up in court or worse”.
Currently Safe Communities Alive at 25 courses, offered twice per month, are largely attended by young drivers required to take the course by municipal court judges as part of their sentence for a traffic violation.
Partnership with Schools and Law Enforcement
LaFollette Principal Joe Gothard explained why he is enthusiastic about offering Alive at 25 courses to the LaFollette school community and to any area family interested in participating. Lt. Wayne Strong, Madison Police Department East District, and Sgt. Eric Tripke from MPD’s TEST Unit were on hand to speak about law enforcement’s support for effective teen driver safety education. Courses will be taught by off-duty police officers with teaching and traffic safety experience, bring an important perspective on risks and consequences to each class.
LaFollette students from Darrin Graham’s Marketing Class attended the news conference, and have been lending their advice on how to market the class to young drivers and families. One student from the class, Brett, was interviewed by Channel 15 on how a fatal traffic crash had affected him.
The Alive at 25 Launch Marks National Teen Driver Safety Week: Newly Analyzed State Farm ® Claims Data Shows the Trend Continues: October Remains the Most Dangerous Month for Teen Driver Crashes
Given the prevalence of teen car crashes in October, beginning in 2007, State Farm and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia worked with Congress to designate the third week of October as National Teen Driver Safety Week. Having a dedicated week provides a unique opportunity to focus attention on this national problem. The week serves as a time set aside for parents, teens, educators and legislators to shine a spotlight on teen driver safety and ramp up conversations about solutions for the high rate of car crashes involving teens. Across the country this week, hundreds of State Farm agents and employees will be participating in teen driver safety activities in their local communities.