Teens who live in rural areas have a disproportionate number of injuries and deaths associated with motor vehicles. One factor is the quality of the roads they travel. Other factors include unsafe driving behaviors, drinking and driving and low seat belt use compliance. In Indiana, another factor is that neither drivers or passengers in pickup trucks must be belted -- and, in rural areas, many students drive pickup trucks. Most of the programs that advocate not drinking and driving or wearing seat belts have been designed by adults. A program was needed that was designed by teens for teens.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the South Decatur Safety Group is to provide a forum for teens to work with other teens to design a program that encourages safe driving practices. The objectives include:

• Developing a program for high school students to encourage safe driving habits
• Raising public awareness about the importance of safe driving, not just in the school but throughout the county
• Changing students' behaviors (e.g., they drive more safely) and changing students' attitudes (e.g., it's "cool" to buckle up and drive safely).

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The project was originally targeted for seat belts, but the objectives were expanded by the students to include speed, alcohol and safe driving. Adults serve as facilitators for the project but all the guidance is provided by the students. The safety group is selected from the following programs: athletics, computer club, journalism club and "at-risk." The following activities have been part of the program.

• Conducted a baseline observational seat belt survey. The state seat belt use rate was 50.57 percent. The overall seat belt use rate in the school was 32 percent. Pickup trucks, which make up about one-third of the vehicle count, had restrained drivers about 12.5 percent of the time. Worked with the local Sheriff's Department to assess speed problems in the area surrounding the school.



• Formed the South Decatur Safety Group with 16 members of the student population. Representatives were from a cross-section of the student population. Group developed its own slogan: FARFROMWREKIN. Met with teachers and school board to get their buy-in.



• Worked with the local newspaper to cover traffic safety events and campaigns. Used public activities (e.g., sporting events) to promote the issue. Planned activities with other student groups (SADD and Future Homemakers of America). Conducted periodic observational surveys.

RESULTS

Observational surveys completed since the program began in February 1995 have been positive, with a nearly 20 percent increase in seat belt use, from 32 percent to 50 percent, comparable to the state's use rate. Seat belt use is greater after school than before school, suggesting that students are affected by seat belt reminders throughout the day, thus making them more aware of the issue when they leave school.

Drivers exceeding the speed limit in the school zone are stopped by the Sheriff's Department in front of the school. Students and faculty who exceed the speed limit have their names posted in school. Even the Principal was admonished by the South Decatur Safety Group for using unsafe speed.

Teens look on participating in the Safety Group as "cool." Students inquire daily about how they too can join. The Safety Group has been recognized as a school group and its picture is included in the yearbook. Teachers from the Junior High asked the group to speak with students in the Junior High health programs. In addition, the rival high school has asked the Safety Group to help form a similar program there. Students hope to carry their model to other high schools in the state.