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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In Oklahoma, motorists
ages 16 to 20 experience higher traffic crash fatality and injury rates
per 100,000 population than any other age group. In fact, this age group
is twice as likely to be killed or injured in a traffic crash than the
rest of the population. In 1998, motor vehicle crash rates for the 16
to 20 year-old age group totaled 163.2 per 100,000 population. This
high crash rate resulted from speeding, driver error, and impaired driving.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To address these alarming
statistics, the Oklahoma Fellowship of Christian Athletes developed
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Alcohol/Drug Education Program
in 1998. Its goal is to reduce traffic crash-related injuries and fatalities
among young drivers 16 to 20 years old. To accomplish this goal, the
following objectives were conceived:
- To use existing FCA events
and programs to promote traffic safety
- To deliver traffic safety
messages through coaches and athletes who serve as role models
- To create an advocacy
for traffic safety within the community of coaches, athletes, students
and teachers
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The FCA
Alcohol/Drug Education Program was designed to use the influence of
the organization as well as that of some of its well-known sports personalities
to promote traffic safety through an alcohol and drug education program.
This strategy ties important lifesaving traffic safety messages to successful
local, regional and statewide athletic events. These events are historically
attended by thousands of coaches and athletes from more than 400 schools
throughout Oklahoma. Specific program activities include the following:
- At one
event, more than 8,000 students attended an Oklahoma University football
game and a pre-game rally. During the rally, students and coaches
received traffic safety brochures discussing topics such as zero tolerance,
impaired driving, aggressive driving, safety belt use and bicycle
and motorcycle safety. They also received a t-shirt with a graphic
of a football helmet and a safety belt and the words, Buckle Up—On
and Off the Field. The keynote speaker at the rally was the 1999
National Trooper of the Year, well-known in Oklahoma for heroic acts
in the line of duty. His message to the audience was on the dangers
of drinking and driving and the importance of wearing safety belts
- An important
statewide athletic event is the annual Oklahoma Coach's Clinic, at
which more than 4,000 Oklahoma coaches meet in Oklahoma City, for
two days of workshops. At the clinic, the FCA sponsors a men's breakfast,
a ladies luncheon and a booth. At the booth, the FCA distributed traffic
safety brochures and promotional cups reading, Buckle Up. A
featured speaker at the breakfast and luncheon, provided a traffic
safety testimonial. At the 1999 clinic, the head football coach at
a local high school described leaving for vacation and remembering
to wear his seat belt because he was wearing his game day t-shirt.
Less than five miles from home, he was involved in a serious traffic
crash, but survived without serious injury. He credited the FCA traffic
safety effort with saving his life
- Each quarter,
the FCA distributes more than 2,000 newsletters to supporters across
Oklahoma. Since the inception of the FCA Alcohol/Drug Education Program,
traffic safety public service announcements have been included in
the newsletter. The announcements are prominent and designed to parallel
seasonal traffic safety campaigns such as Buckle Up America!
and You Drink and Drive, You Lose
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