PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
From 1988 to 1992, Stanislaus County, California experienced a 12 percent increase in licensed drivers, bringing the total to 248,600. Teenage drivers represented 5 percent of this total (12,430). During these years, the number fatal motor vehicle crashes increased 5 percent (from 59 to 62), and injury crashes rose 22 percent (from 2,142 to 2,754). Although teenagers accounted for only 5 percent of the total number of licensed drivers in the county, they were involved in 13 percent of the fatal crashes. A 1994 study conducted by the Department of Health Services indicated that the fatality rate for traffic crashes in the county was well above the state average.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To address concerns about the disproportionate number of teenage drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes in Stanislaus County, in 1995 the Stanislaus County Department of Mental Health developed The Young and the Reckless. This program sought to reduce youth-involved violations and fatal and injury crashes related to impaired driving, speeding and/or reckless driving through a comprehensive approach to traffic safety. The focus of the program was on improving decision-making skills through increased knowledge and awareness of problems resulting from traffic violations.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Young and the Reckless program has a variety of components and targeted strategies. These include:

• A series of drivers' education enhancement sessions, each two to four hours in length were developed for presentation to youthful drivers and their parents
• Several 30 minute television programs were produced for airing on local cable television networks, and to be available for use by schools as requested
• A Teen Talk Show developed and produced by a group of teens and taped at area high schools is presented to high school seniors in government classes
• A diversion pilot program known as AUTO (Avoid Unnecessary Traffic Offenses) SHOP has been implemented in cooperation with juvenile court officials and the Turlock Police Department for first time speeding violators aged 15 to 19. The program gives these offenders the option to attend a 3 to 4 hour class on speeding, impaired driving and risk-taking behavior
• The Young and the Reckless program also features presentations by a local group, Friday Night Live, at school assemblies and community events. This group presents the dramatic consequences of speeding, DUI and reckless driving