|
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Teenaged drivers in Illinois
are three times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash
as adult drivers, but are only half as likely to buckle up. In 1998,
a total of 191 teen drivers were killed in crashes, and only 33 were
wearing a seat belt. Although the statewide average seat belt use rate
is 65.9 percent, the rate for teenagers remains about 33 percent.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Operation Cool
was initiated by the Illinois State Police District 10, in 1996, to
decrease traffic crash injuries and fatalities among teenagers in 60
Illinois high schools. Since that time, the program has expanded statewide,
and reaches an estimated 31,000 students. Specific goals of the project
are to:
- Establish local partnerships
among police, high schools, businesses and civic groups, to coordinate
the program and develop cash and in-kind donations
- Provide tangible incentives
to teenagers to buckle up, every time they travel in a motor vehicle
- Increase seat belt use
among teenagers in participating schools to at least 70 percent
- Decrease the number of
teen fatalities related to motor vehicle crashes
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Illinois
State Police developed Operation Cool as a cooperative effort
between state and local police agencies, local businesses, civic groups
and high schools, in areas of the state identified as having a high
incidence of traffic crash-related injuries and fatalities among teenaged
drivers. Hundreds of businesses and civic organizations participate
in the program, by donating merchandise coupons, prizes and cash awards
to students. These partners then gain some ownership of the program
and are able to support their local community and benefit through free
advertising at participating schools.
The program
is customized to each community and student body. In southern Illinois,
the program has been renamed Save Our Selves, reflecting the
high level of student involvement. Each fall, an undercover survey of
seat belt use by students is conducted on or near school grounds. The
results are shared with school administrators, and then with the student
body in a school-wide assembly. Students are invited to sign a contract
agreeing to buckle up, and then become eligible to compete for prizes.
Prizes are awarded throughout the year, and prize winners are announced
via the public address system. Businesses have pledged items such as
gasoline vouchers, free tuxedo rentals and free cars. The most successful
programs feature a grand prize, community-wide support, student leadership,
and a strong and active program coordinator in the school. Canvassing
local businesses for appealing prizes is often the responsibility of
students. While each program is tailored to the local community, associated
activities usually include:
- Training
and instruction in seat belt safety is conducted for all student participants
by school resource officers or state troopers
- Students
sign a contract agreeing to buckle up in exchange for a chance to
win prizes; students violating any part of the contract are ineligible
to win prizes
- Periodic
compliance checks are conducted by local and state police officers,
as well as school administrators and community volunteers
- Awards are
provided after each compliance check; and survivors and student volunteers
may compete for state-level prizes
- At year's
end, schools reaching the 70 percent objective are recognized in a
public ceremony, and cash prizes may be awarded to schools with the
highest seat belt use rate
|
