Itasca, IL - The National Safety Council today introduced an updated version of its popular defensive driver training program for teens and young adults, Alive At 25. This driver intervention program zeroes in on the specific behaviors of drivers aged 16-24 that cause motor vehicle crashes.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death, causing one-third of all deaths, for people aged 16-24. Drivers aged 16-20 make up 14% of registered drivers, but accounted for 21% of drivers involved in crashes in 2002. In 2002, young drivers aged 16-20 were involved in 1.6 million crashes that killed 8,984 people (3,723 young drivers, 2,472 passengers and 2,789 others).
First developed and introduced by the National Safety Council in 1995, Alive At 25 has been used by courts and schools nationwide to teach more than 400,000 young drivers how to take responsibility for their own driving behavior. The newly-revised version of Alive at 25 includes emphasis on counteracting the inexperience, peer-pressure and risk taking that contribute to dangerous driving by young people today. A recent study by the Colorado State Patrol revealed that 93% of young people who participated in Alive At 25 training programs said they would change their driving behavior as a result of the program.
Alive at 25 is a highly interactive, four-hour program that provides classroom skill practices and defensive driving techniques that build skills and confidence among young drivers. Instructors use interactive media, discussions and role playing to help young drivers develop convictions and strategies that will keep them safer on the road.
The training program is available for use in state Graduated Licensing programs, court programs for traffic violators, school and insurance company programs, and by individuals who want to improve their driving skills. For more information, contact the National Safety Council or a local NSC chapter, or visit www.nsc.org.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of NSC include more than 45,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is preventing injuries that occur in workplaces, homes, communities and motor vehicles.
For Immediate Release, February 16, 2004
Media Contact: National Safety Council 630-775-2307 media@nsc.org
