IDAHO
Soda Springs Police Department
Youth Driver Education Project

 

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS PROGRAM AREA(S)
 

Targets hard-to-reach/at risk population
Innovative or non-traditional approach

 

Youth Programs
Alcohol and Other Drugs

 

 

 

 

TYPE OF JURISDICTION    
 

City

 

 

 

 

 

 

TARGETED POPULATION(S) JURISDICTION SIZE
 

Youth

 

3,871


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In 1997, impaired drivers in Idaho between the ages of 15 and 19, were responsible for 29 percent of all alcohol-related fatal motor vehicle crashes, while comprising only 9 percent of the state's licensed drivers. In fact, Idaho teenagers are more likely to die in a traffic crash than from all other causes of death combined. Further, while overall seat belt use in Idaho in 1997 was 54 percent, observed seat belt use in the City of Soda Springs, was only 28 percent, well below the statewide average.


GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To support Idaho's statewide goal of reducing motor vehicle crash-related fatalities and serious injuries, especially among youthful drivers, the Soda Springs Police Department developed the Young Driver Education project during 1997. Specific objectives of the program were to:

  • Design a unique approach to education, using students to influence other students with traffic safety messages

  • Reduce impaired driving among teenaged drivers, through voluntary compliance with traffic laws

  • Increase seat belt use in the Soda Springs community


STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
In developing the Young Driver Education Project, the Soda Springs Police Department formed a coalition of high school students to help address youthful driver safety issues. Coalition members consisted of students serving juvenile probation, many for alcohol and/or drug-related offenses. This broad-based strategy incorporated the concept that the best means to address impaired driving is through peer-to-peer influence. The youth coalition assisted the police department by brainstorming monthly activities aimed at reducing impaired driving, and increasing driver and passenger restraint use. Coalition members devised innovative activities involving the student bodies of their elementary, middle and high schools. Specific activities included:

  • A crash victim testimonial assembly, featuring a young person who had experienced disabling injuries from a traffic crash. During the assembly, highway safety videos were presented, to further dramatize the consequences of failing to buckle up

  • A student seat belt contract poster contest, for which students set a seat belt usage goal, planned a celebration party upon reaching the goal, and conducted fundraisers throughout the year to fund the party and publicize traffic safety messages. The contest initially emphasized safety restraint use, but as usage increased, the emphasis shifted to impaired driving

  • Distribution of highway safety literature during school and community activities

These activities created a ripple effect throughout the schools and community. Local officials, businesses, newspaper and radio stations supported coalition efforts.


RESULTS
The Young Driver Education Project created an enthusiastic response to traffic safety within the Soda Springs Police Department, and throughout the community. At program initiation in 1997, the fatal and injury collision rate per 1000 population in Soda Springs was 3.7. By 1999, this rate had dropped to 2.58. The rate of alcohol-involved fatal and injury crashes was 0.3 in 1998. In 1999, the Soda Springs community experienced no alcohol-related crash fatalities or injuries.

Seat belt use increased in Soda Springs from 28 percent in 1997, to more than 40 percent in 1999. A more dramatic increase in seat belt use was observed among drivers ages 15 to 19. The usage rate for this age group increased from 27 percent in 1997, to 71 percent in 1999, based on observational surveys by coalition members at the high school.

The program was also successful in providing "at risk" members of the coalition with a positive focus for their activities. Teachers and parents each reported a marked decrease in behavioral problems associated with these young adults.

 

FUNDING
 

Section 402:
State/Local:

$6,000
$12,466

CONTACT  
 

Teresa Watkins
Soda Springs Police Department
109 South Main
Soda Springs, ID 83276
(208) 547-3213




NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

WINTER 2001