FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL, DUTCH FORK HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE CAITLYN CRAIG FOUNDATION

CONTACT: Brooke Russell, SCNSC 803-732-6778
   

SCNSC INTRODUCES ALIVE AT 25 TO IRMO, SOUTH CAROLINA AT DUTCH FORK HIGH SCHOOL

IRMO, SOUTH CAROLINA (March 14, 2007) – The South Carolina National Safety Council in partnership with Dutch Fork High School, and the Caitlyn Craig Foundation, announced today that they will begin offering the Alive at 25 defensive driving program for ages 15-24 in Dutch Fork High School, Irmo, South Carolina beginning May 2007.

The South Carolina National Safety Council, Dutch Fork High School, and the Caitlyn Craig Foundation, will kick off the state’s first school-based Alive @ 25 program with a “Teen Driver Safety Assembly” at Dutch Fork High School, Irmo, South Carolina on Sat. April 21, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, SC, 29063.  The Caitlyn Craig Foundation is helping SCNSC present the assembly, which will replicate the foundation’s events that are presented in high schools in other states as a kick off for the school-based Alive @ 25 classes.

 

 

Dutch Fork High School has lost three students due to fatal vehicle accidents over the past few months and is committed to the teen driver safety mission.  Dutch Fork will require all students who want to park on campus starting the 2007-2008 school year complete the Alive at 25 program prior to being issued a parking permits for the up-coming year.

“Our decision to require that kids take Alive @ 25 is because too many of our promising teenagers die in car crashes.  Auto crashes are the leading cause of death, not drugs, suicide or STDS,” said Jim Taylor, principal of Dutch Fork High School.  “There are many reasons, for instance, while teens are learning new skills needed for driving, many frequently engage in high-risk behaviors, such as speeding, being easily distracted, using electronic devices (cell phones, I-pods), too many passengers and/or driving after using alcohol or drugs. One key reason for high traffic fatalities among this age group is that they have lower safety belt use rates than adults.”
 
The four-hour class, which costs $35, will be held at Dutch Fork High School on several dates in May following the assembly.  Any student who requires tuition assistance for the class may contact SCNSC (http://www.scnsc.org ) at (803) 732-6778. 

Unlike traditional driver’s education courses that focus on the mechanics of driving, Alive @ 25 addresses the behaviors of driving. 

Dutch Fork High School will host the first Teen Driver Safety Assembly in the state of South Carolina where students and parents will be presented with an energetic visual presentation, along with individuals that speak from tragic life experiences, including Suzanne Craig-McLeod, founder of the Caitlyn Craig Foundation, who reaches out to teens and urges them to make smart choices.

“The Caitlyn Craig Foundation (CCF) sponsors the Teen Driver Safety Assemblies in Colorado and launched Alive @ 25 with assemblies in California and we are pleased to announce that South Carolina will launch the very first Teen Driver Safety Assembly and the Alive @ 25 program at Dutch Fork High School with the support of CCF”, said Brooke Russell, Executive Director, SCNSC.

As motor vehicle crashes are the “Number 1” killer of teens today in the United States, South Carolina is no different.

The National Safety Council reports that students who complete the Alive at 25 course are 96 percent less likely to be killed in a car crash than youths that have not taken the course. The NSC is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. The NSC is a membership organization, founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953. Members include more than 46,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals.

The Caitlyn Craig Foundation (http://www.theccf.net ) is a 501 (c)(3) with a mission to reduce auto related fatalities by presenting powerful educational programs.

#  #  #

Crashed Car Photo Caption:  The crashed car, that carried Caitlyn Craig, Brian Ellsworth and Michael Heykoop, is one of the crash cars exhibited at high schools as part of the Caitlyn Craig Foundation’s Teen Driver Safety Assemblies.