OHIO
Graduated Drivers License Parties

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
From 1995 to 1997, Licking County, Ohio ranked fourth in the state for motor vehicle crash injuries and fatalities among drivers ages 15 to 20. In fact, youthful drivers in this age range accounted for an average of 37 percent of all crash-related deaths and injuries statewide during these years.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to reduce the number of traffic crashes involving youthful drivers throughout the county, the Licking County Safe Communities Coalition, led by the Licking County Health Department, developed the Graduated Drivers License Parties program in 1999. Primary objectives of the program were to:

• Provide a useful compliment to Ohio's newly enacted Graduated Licensing System
• Conduct Graduated Divers License Parties at least twice each year, in a minimum of two county high schools
• Establish criteria for selecting participating high schools based on similarity in size and socioeconomic factors

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
In 1999, Ohio modified its licensing laws to include Graduated Driver Licensing for youthful drivers. Although the age of licensing remains the same, driving privileges are now phased in gradually through a three-stage process. This process consists of the learner's permit, intermediate stage and full, unrestricted driving privileges.

The Licking County Safe Communities Coalition, whose partners include the Licking County Health Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Licking County Sheriff's Office, local police and schools, focused their efforts on developing a program to help teenagers who have recently received a Graduated Drivers License (GDL), reduce their risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. Using an similar program in Kentucky as a model, the coalition developed the Graduated Drivers License Parties program.

The project utilized law enforcement officers and Licking County Health Department staff to present a preventive/proactive message to youthful drivers on impaired driving, speed control, seat belt use and aggressive driving. Tenth grade students in each participating high school received an invitation to participate in the program, along with a packet of materials related to the program. Each Graduated Drivers License Party consisted of a 45-minute presentation conducted during school hours, with refreshments served at its conclusion. Participating students received a special key tag, containing a compartment designed to hold a small amount of change. The change can be used by students to make a phone call if they find themselves in a situation where they are unable to drive.

RESULTS
During its pilot year, the Graduated Drivers License Parties program was presented to 300 students attending two high schools in Licking County. The two local high schools, Johnstown and Northridge, were selected for participation based on similarities in size and socioeconomic factors. During the 2000-2001 school year, the Graduated Drivers License Parties will be expanded to include a parent component. The Licking County Safe Communities Coalition will use the American Automobile Association (AAA) program License to Learn, supplied through the Ohio Department of Public Safety, as a resource for this program component.

SUMMER 2000