UWG
News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
Safety Grant
June 15, 2004
CARROLLTON, GA - Students at all educational levels in Carroll County are benefiting from safety programming at the University of West Georgia thanks to a grant received from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
University
Health Services at UWG received a $21,900 grant to provide programming
on alcohol prevention, highway safety, and other safety issues. Activities
have included the opportunity to experience an intoxication simulator
that allows participants to see firsthand how alcohol impacts motor skills,
perceptions, reflexes, etc. More than 5,000 University students have participated
in classes and other activities provided by this grant and taught by trained
University peer educators.
According to Jill Hendricks, UWG Health Services patient advocate, speakers have included a prisoner from the Georgia Department of Corrections convicted of DUI who spoke to University as well as area public school students.
The prisoner, who spoke wearing his prison uniform, handcuffs and leg shackles, shared a graphic story of going from being an ordinary guy having fun with friends to becoming a convicted felon who must live the rest of his lie knowing he killed two innocent people.
University personnel have conducted seatbelt checks on campus and are available to conduct them at area high schools. Plans are underway to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to participate in the Governor’s Office of highway safety’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Free literature and training materials have been distributed, and free promotional materials such as safety lights and whistle key chains have been given away.
Local and campus law enforcement personnel have assisted in seatbelt checks on campus and at local high schools. Free literature and training materials have been distributed and free promotional materials such as safety lights and whistle key chains have been given away.
An upcoming day camp sponsored in conjunction with UWG’s Department of Continuing Education brought safety training to the younger children of the area. “Safety on Our Streets,” offered June 7-11 for children ages 6-12, covered such topics as bike, skateboard, car, four-wheeler, and large animal safety.
Hendricks noted that Carroll County currently ranks fourth in the state in the number of documented teen traffic fatalities. Only Gwinnett, Fulton and DeKalb Counties reported more such fatalities and 30 percent of UWG’s students are from that metro Atlanta area.
“Approximately 21 percent of Carroll County drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 will be involved in an automobile accident and 36 percent of those will receive some type of injury,” she noted. “We hope this type of safety training will reduce those numbers.”
Hendricks has applied for a renewal of the grant to continue the programming for college, high school, middle and elementary school children next year. For more information concerning the grant programming, contact her at 770-836-6452.
-30-