Far too many Georgia high schools make headlines as a result of student deaths in auto accidents.  When young drivers die at the wheel, the tragedy plunges the entire school into protracted periods of grief and disbelief?  In an effort to involve Georgia students in reducing injury and death to young drivers, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has awarded a highway safety grant to Pepperell High School to enhance the school’s existing S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Chapter. GOHS believes that student input into the solution will help alleviate the problem of teen driver fatalities in Georgia.  According to the GOHS Director Robert F. Dallas, “Our state’s teen drivers represent a disproportionate number of drivers involved in crashes that involve injuries and deaths on Georgia’s roadways. We look forward to our SADD Chapters working with their peers to change the perception that crashes are accidents, which can’t be prevented. They can.”

The disturbing statistics tell the tragic story.  Inexperienced young drivers, ages 15-19, have a higher rate of crashes, injuries and fatalities than adult drivers.  Young drivers have a higher rate of crashes, injuries and fatalities than older drivers  In 2006 there were 177 fatalities, 17,592 injuries and 103,339 crashes among 15-19 year old on the highway. Teens are (7%) of the population and eleven percent (11%) of the crash fatalities. According to the most recent data, (2006) 50.5% of the 15-19 year- passenger vehicle occupants killed or seriously injured were unrestrained. The inexperience and immaturity of younger drivers are thought to be major contributing factors in the higher fatality rate. (GOHS Data Source).

“I commend our S.A.D.D. Chapter and its sponsor, Alana Ellenburg,” notes Phil Ray, principal of Pepperell High School.  “S.A.D.D. is one of Pepperell’s most active organizations.  Our S.A.D.D. Chapter is at the forefront of finding ways to positively impact decisions made by our students each day.”  The Pepperell High School Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions has already been very active at PHS and in the community this year.  The teens have reached out into the community by participating in a variety of activities including a Red Ribbon Week presentation to 5th graders at Pepperell Elementary and involvement with Pepperell Primary and McHenry schools’ Fall Festivals.  The Pepperell High School Chapter has been active in their own school sponsoring National Teen Driving Safety Week, a Mix-It-Up at Lunch Day, and a Dragon’s Care Seatbelt Check.  “Even with the positive influences and messages sent by SADD, two of our students have recently suffered serious injuries, one in a vehicular accident and another in a pedestrian accident,” adds Mr. Ray.  “Hopefully, SADD will be able to use these accidents to influence others to be more careful on the road when driving and cognizant about where they are going when walking to and from activities.”

By having a comprehensive effort statewide, GOHS/SADD plans to cover teen driving issues including safety belt use, speed, inexperience, and impaired driving in a coordinated manner. Participating schools will focus on a variety of highway safety issues throughout the school year.  The PHS SADD Chapter plans to use the grant money to improve the annual S.A.D.D. Coffee House, provide more seatbelt checks at Pepperell, book guest speakers for the PHS student body, fund prevention activities at prom time, and much more.  Additionally, the Pepperell High School Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions will send its president and advisor to a statewide leadership-training program this spring along with the representative from other high schools that received similar grants.

Members of the Pepperell High School Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapter choose to be role models for their friends and peers.  The PHS S.A.D.D. wants to provide students with the best prevention and intervention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.  If you are interested in be involved or helping to sponsor an activity with the Pepperell High School Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapter please contact their Advisor, Alana Ellenburg at aellenburg@floydboe.net.

 For more information on how to obtain a $2,000 SADD grant contact: Barbara Jones, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 404-657-9246 or bjones@gohs.ga.gov.