Project
Characteristics |
Multimedia
Assembly
Countermeasures
|
Program
Areas |
Youth
Programs
Alcohol
and Other Drugs
|
Type
of Jurisdiction |
State |
Targeted
Population |
Elementary,
Middle, and High School Students |
Jurisdiction
Size |
8,383,915
|
Funding |
410
Funds: $110,000
|
Contact |
Spencer
R. Moore or
Sonya
L. Self
Alcohol and Other Drug Countermeasures
GA Gov. Ofc. of Hwy Safety
One
Park Tower
34
Peachtree Street
Suite
1600
Atlanta,
GA 30303
(404)
656-6996
|
Digest
Listing
|
|
|
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GEORGIA
GOHS and Mothers
Against Drunk Driving Sensory Experience
(PDF Version)
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Young
drivers have higher crash rates, injuries, and fatalities than older
drivers. In 2000, 106 people were killed in crashes involving at least one
other impaired driver between 16 and 17 years old. That same year, crashes involving at least one impaired driver between 18
and 20 years old were responsible for 194 deaths. Crashes involving at
least one impaired driver between 21 and 24 years old were responsible for
234 deaths.
Crashes involving
drivers ages 16 to 17 cost Georgia $91 million; for drivers between 18 to 20 years old, the cost was $167
million; and for drivers between 21 to 24 years old, the cost was $201
million.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Governor’s
Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Sensory Experience’s goal is to reduce the number of crashes caused
by young, impaired drivers by educating them about the facts concerning
underage drinking and driving.
The project’s objectives are to:
- Reach approximately 125,000 youth in Georgia during the 2002-2003
school year;
- Raise awareness about the consequences of underage drinking;
- Help young people understand state laws concerning underage drinking
and drinking and driving;
- Teach and reinforce the concept that adolescents do have control
over their futures through the choices that they make; and
- Give youth facts concerning underage drinking in order to make
healthy life decisions.
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
GOHS
joined with MADD to offer students two fast-paced, high-energy, multimedia
assembly video programs called Street Smarts and Fake ID. The
programs use popular music and a mix of scenes and songs from popular
movies and television programs to educate students about the importance of
making smart decisions about underage drinking (Street Smarts) and
not falling prey to peer pressure (Fake ID). The
project incorporated the following strategies:
-
Worked
with MADD to offer the multimedia assembly to elementary, middle, and
high school students. MADD provided promotional materials prior to the
event and a host to introduce the videos and interact with the
students and faculty to reinforce the project's message.
-
Screened the 26-minute MADD video called Street
Smarts that focuses on brain safety, car safety, and street smarts. The
video provides students with information about brain development and how to keep
the brain safe as well as tips on driving with an unsafe driver. Most of all, Street
Smarts teaches students that being smart means doing what is best for you,
your body, and your brain.
-
Screened the 38-minute MADD video called Fake ID that
focuses on teens having control, the definition of true friendship, dispelling
the myth that "everyone is drinking," the consequences of
underage drinking, encouraging youth activism, making good decisions, and
dealing with the pressure to use alcohol.
-
Provided teachers with classroom activity guides created
by MADD to reinforce the message after the assembly.
RESULTS
During
the 2002-2003 school year, more than 70
Georgia
High
Schools took part
in the GOHS
and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Sensory Experience. Through
the Street
Smarts and Fake
ID videos, GOHS and MADD were able to:
-
Promote
positive choices; -
Educate students about their power to change their
attitudes and behaviors and those of their classmates; and
-
Dispel myths concerning underage drinking.
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