GOHS Wins Teen Driving Safety Grant from the Ford Motor Company mattmontgomery  at:  3/14/2008   GEORGIA TO RECEIVE GRANT FOR TEEN SAFE DRIVING NATIONAL LANDMARK DSFL AWARDS TO BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY (WASHINGTON, D.C.) The Governor's Office of Highway Safety announced today that Georgia will be named as one of ten state highway safety agencies to receive national grants to further develop teen driver safety programs here. The grants from the Ford Motor Company Fund are part of the company’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program, designed to help states increase awareness of the hazards of teen driving and teach the critical skills that youth need to respond to the demands of the road. The State of Georgia will be named Monday as one of nine states and two U.S. territories to be awarded more than $200,000 in grants. This is part of the national award-winning DSFL teen driving program developed in partnership between the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Ford Motor Company Fund. The grant award to help develop Georgia’s teen driving initiatives will total $20,000.00 and marks the first time a private sector company has given state highway safety agencies grants for teen driver safety programs. According to Deputy Director Spencer Moore of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the DSFL grant funds will be used to educate students in high risk areas for traffic crashes and those not currently reached through other state teen driver initiatives. “Teens everywhere have a higher rate of injury and fatal crashes,” said GOHS Deputy Director Moore. “High risk behavior, peer pressure, inexperience, limited use or no use of safetybelts, and lack of proper driving information and education are just a few of the problems our youth face while driving on Georgia’s roadways.” “Georgia Teens impacted by this new Driving Skills For Life program will gain necessary skills through their high schools that they can use to make smarter, safer decisions behind the wheel,” said Moore. “Lessons learned through DSFL will help Georgia teens concentrate on the four key driving survival skills of hazard recognition, vehicle handling, and space and speed management.” According to GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “Highway safety offices are delighted to receive these grants. Funding for driver education efforts is extremely limited, so this unique private sector support is most welcome. These funds will help us educate parents and teens about safe driving practices while also reminding them of graduated licensing laws.” DSFL is one of the nation’s most comprehensive teen driver safety awareness programs. Core program components include an educator packet, hands-on drivers’ training events held across the country and an interactive website (www.drivingskillsforlife.com) that contains a learning module, car care and safe driving tip videos, safe driving games, an eco-driving module and resource materials for parents and educators. The DSFL grants were made available to highway safety offices through an online application process. Each of the highway safety offices receiving grants has designed a comprehensive outreach program for their students. Georgia’s DSFL grant was awarded based on a description of need, how teen drivers here will benefit, program goals and objectives, media outreach, metrics and implementation plan. Other state highway safety offices selected to receive the grants will include: Arizona Tennessee Florida Vermont Georgia Wisconsin Maryland Northern Mariana Islands New Mexico U.S. Virgin Islands Oregon "Ford is committed to vehicle safety and educating the public about key issues such as teen driver safety," said Jim Graham, community relations manager for Ford Fund, who directs the program. “Our unique partnership with GHSA allows us to work closely with highway safety offices in the states and U.S. territories in bringing this initiative to communities across the country." More information about Driving Skills for Life is available at www.drivingskillsforlife.com. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. For more information about Georgia’s DSFL program GOHS Planner Amy Edwards at 404-463-0156 or email at aedwards@gohs.ga.gov or visit us on the web at www.gahighwaysafety.org. TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE         Photos and Commentary from the Georgia Rides to the Capitol Event on March 11, 2008 mattmontgomery  at:  3/11/2008   PHOTOS FROM THE 2008 GEORGIA RIDES TO THE CAPITOL EVENT On March 11, 2008, over 1,500 cyclists from around Georgia gathered together at the Georgia State Capitol to raise support of improved conditions for bicycling in Georgia, including the development of regional systems of bicycling and pedestrian networks. Groups of riders left Roswell and Decatur with police escort for the ride downtown. Led by Roswell Mayor Jere Wood and Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd, the group experience clear skies and smooth sailing to bring attention to the needs of cyclists across the state. At the State Capitol, additional supporters of bicycling including Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos met the riders for a short ceremony. GOHS is proud of its support for Georgia Bikes! and is committed to the safety of all Georgia cyclists. In addition to the photos below, GOHS Director Bob Dallas has video from the event in his unique blog, Tales from the Road, the 2008 Share the Road Experience. Click here to view the videos and learn more about Bob's quest to Share the Road. TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE         2008 St. Patrick's Day Planner mattmontgomery  at:  3/6/2008   Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick’s Day Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck—Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous. Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half (44%) of the 105 drivers and motorcyclists involved in the fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. That’s why GOHS announced their joint efforts with federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials across the nation to remind all those who plan on celebrating during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to drink responsibly. “Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending the Savannah Parade, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.” “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. Drunk Driving Prevention Following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing their life and the lives of the others who may be on the road. Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys; If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely; Use your community’s Sober Rides program; If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number 13,470 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. “Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk,” said Director Dallas. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant.” Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins. For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org. TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE         County by County Data on Crash Injuries and Deaths: UPDATED mattmontgomery  at:  3/5/2008   The latest Georgia county by county statistics on injuries and fatalities in crashes is now available on the GOHS web. Learn more about the toll that highway crashes take on citizens around the state. Among the statistical breakdowns you will find include: Pedestrian Involved in Crashes and Resulting Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities (Number and Rate per 100 Million VMT) Speed-Related Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities (Number and Rate per 100,000 Licensed Drivers) Safety Restraint Use Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities, Occupants over Age 5 Safety Restraint Use, Crashes Occupants under Age 6 Crashes by Age of Driver (Number and Rate per 100,000 Licensed Drivers For all the recently compiled data, visit http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/gacountycrashes.html TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE         2008 Share the Road Blog mattmontgomery  at:  3/5/2008   The 2008 Share the Road Blog, Tales from the Road, is off to a fast start. Read about the trials and tribulations of GOHS Bob Dallas as he attempts to "share the road" for an entire month with cars and trucks while walking, biking, scootering, motorcycling, and other alternative means of transporation. To join the fun, visit http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/2008sharetheroad TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE    First Page   Prev. Page   Next Page   Last Page

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