“Alive At 25” comes to Gilpin County

Insurance breaks, early permits
For safe teen drivers

The engine revs, tires squeal – and the teen drivers are off, radios blaring, tearing up the pavement.  It’s a stereotype young drivers hate because, as with all stereotypes, it describes only a minority of their group.  Most drivers, young and old, do their best to drive safely.  But statistics show that inexperienced drivers are more prone to be involved in accidents.  The majority of drivers classed as “inexperienced” fall into the under-20 age group.  Every year nearly 6,000 American teens die in traffic accidents.  Most of them are 16-18 years old. Colorado State Troopers Deborah Bristol and John Burt are working to change the statistics and the bad rap by showing new drivers what to watch for.  One, or possibly both Troopers, will be in Gilpin County on December 18^th presenting “Alive At 25,” a driver safety class developed by the National Safety Council.

“Alive At 25” is described as “a survival course in traffic safety” targeted to youth, 15-24 years old.  The course consists of four hours of classroom instruction (no behind-the-wheel instruction) designed to help new drivers adopt safer driving practices.  According to Trooper Burt, most collisions involving young drivers are the result of inexperience with the complexities of driving or a lack of awareness of the consequences of risk-taking behaviors.  Main risk-taking behaviors are speeding, impaired driving and driving as a social activity, sometimes with peers in the vehicle distracting the driver.  By making young drivers aware of typical driving hazards and teaching them to be responsible in the various driving situations they’ll encounter, the Troopers hope to prevent traffic violations, collisions and fatalities.  The course curriculum is graphic.  Some of the material includes actual photos from accident scenes.  The material effectively illustrates what can and does happen during a collision.  No one is forced to look at the photos, said Burt, but they are available in a box for students to flip through.  It might be that just one photo will drive home the importance of something as simple as buckling-up. In 2001, of the 204 Colorado teen fatalities, 119 were not wearing their seat belts and 108 were ejected from their vehicles.

The course is so effective that it is sometimes mandated by proactive judges as part of sentencing for young drivers with repeat traffic offenses, but it’s actually available to all youth 15-24 years old.  “Alive At 25” is not a comprehensive driver’s education class, but a safety course, so no driving permit or license is needed to take the class.  Courses occur throughout the state in recreation centers, schools, fire stations, police stations, car dealerships, office buildings and medical centers- wherever Troopers can bring it to the public.  In Gilpin County, the course will take place in the Division of Gaming building at 142 Lawrence Street in Central City. The cost for the morning class (8-12 a.m.) is $30.00 for those participating voluntarily.  For parents of new drivers it’s a convenient local opportunity to offer their teens additional safety through education.  Some insurance companies give discounted rates for teens who have completed “Alive At 25.”  Teens may be able to get their driving permits or licenses up to six months earlier by taking the class.  Registration can be done on-line at Alive_@_25.org.

Some new drivers just don’t realize the dangers that might be riding along with them.  Youth, especially, are vulnerable to the feelings of power, freedom and immortality when they get behind the wheel. 

Sponsored by private businesses, (Ralph Schomp, Grease Monkey, Bandimere Speedways, Saturn, DEX Media, Johns Manville), Transportation E470 Safety Foundation and Colorado State Patrol, “Alive At 25” aims to save our teen's lives.  

Being able to drive equates to independence, especially for youth. It’s a privilege teens look forward to with a just-can’t-wait excitement. But having an inexperienced driver in the family can be scary, too.