|
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In Dawson County, Nebraska, from 1995 to 1998, motor vehicle
crashes involving youth ages 15 to 18 increased 64 percent (from 21
to 33). Disabling injuries and fatalities resulting from these crashes
also increased, from 32 in 1995, to 38 in 1998. In addition, Dawson
County ranked in last place statewide in observed safety belt use for
all ages of motor vehicle occupants. From 1996 to 1998, the county's
seat belt use rates were 32.3 percent, 34.9 percent and 40.5 percent,
respectively. Occupant protection use was lowest among teens, and youthful
drivers were also over-represented in traffic crashes.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to prevent motor vehicle crash-related deaths and
injuries involving Dawson County youth ages 15 to 18, the Nebraska Office
of Highway (NOHS) provided grant funding to develop Youth on the
Move in 1997. The primary objective of this project is to reduce
the number of youth-involved fatal and injury traffic crashes by 10
to 15 percent, by the end of 1999 (from 38 in 1997, to between 32 and
34 in 1999).
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Youth on the Move program was implemented in three
schools in Dawson County, during the 1999-2000 school year. It was agreed
that the program would be most effective if students were profoundly
involved in planning and implementing Youth on the Move activities.
Students and staff at each of the three schools received information
regarding the dangers of engaging in risk-taking behaviors when driving
or riding in a motor vehicle. Guest speakers came to the schools to
provide safety presentations, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and
NOHS distributed posters and brochures, and drama groups performed skits
for various school audiences. In addition, fatal vision goggles were
demonstrated and examined by students.
A countywide Safe Communities Coalition of individuals and organizations
from each of the three communities was organized. The Coalition committed
its efforts to assisting Youth on the Move organizers with the
task of meeting their objectives. Coalition members facilitated media
coverage of program activities, to help increase public awareness of
teen risk-taking behaviors related traffic crash statistics. Activities
associated with Youth on the Move include the following:
-
Youth groups in each of the three schools implemented seat belt
checks at schools and public events, featuring Vince and Larry®,
NHTSA's crash dummies. They also posted signs with safety messages
at schools and throughout the community
-
Incentives with safety messages were distributed to students in
all three towns before or during special events such as school dances
and graduations, identified as high-risk opportunities for alcohol
use
-
Volunteers from all three towns provided visual reminders of the
consequences of risk- taking behaviors associated with motor vehicles.
Before proms, mock crashes were held, or a wrecked car was displayed
in the school parking lot
-
Analysis of traffic crash data indicated that teenagers were more
likely to use drugs and/or alcohol at post-graduation parties than
at a post-prom party. Therefore, two of the high schools held structured
drug-free post-graduation parties, sponsored by parents and community
businesses and organizations
-
Seven students and three sponsors of youth leadership groups from
the three towns attended the national conference of Students Against
Destructive Decisions (SADD), to obtain resources and ideas for
activities for the 1999-2000 school year
|
