Colorado lost 151 young people to motor vehicle crashes in 2004, 12 of which were in Douglas County. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-25 year olds. Statistics like these are behind the new Alive at 25 driving program.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, along with Douglas County Schools and the Caitlyn Craig Foundation, is currently scheduling assemblies at local high schools to kick off the program. The crashed car that Caitlyn Craig was killed in will be on display and Caitlyn’s mom, Suzanne Craig McLeod, will address the students.
Rock Canyon High School’s assembly date will be announced once it is scheduled.
The Alive at 25 program is a four and half-hour program for drivers in the 15-24 age group. The focus of the program will be on getting participants to take responsibility for their behavior in driving situations and to adopt safer driving practices. The classes will also help students recognize that their inexperience and casual attitudes toward driving can cause collisions and violations. It also emphasizes peer pressure and how to manage it.
The classes are taught by off-duty Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies who truly believe in the importance of this early intervention program designed to prevent driving decisions that can have tragic consequences. These deputies, emotionally impacted by their daily activities which may include responding to crash fatalities caused by inexperienced drivers, are able to relate significant and real-life examples that leave lasting impressions.
The cost of the class will be $30.00 and registration forms can be obtained from each high school. For more information about the class or the registration process, please call the Training Unit at 303-660-7505 ext 2525.
It is important to point out that the Alive at 25 program plays important part in the Graduated Driver’s Law, in that in order for a teen to get a driver’s permit at the age of 15 1⁄2, they must complete this class. In order to get a permit at age 15, they must enroll in a driver education program.
