AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is proud to announce the receipt of a $6,380 grant to participate in the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Georgia Young Adult Program.
The GOHS addresses young adult driver crashes, injuries and fatalities and partners with colleges and universities throughout the state to implement the Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP). This program has proven to be successful using strategies such as peer education, providing educational speakers to schools and encouraging schools to develop creative, innovative techniques to reduce young adult crashes, injuries and fatalities in their communities.
“The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is committed to changing the tragic trend of young adult driver deaths in Georgia,” said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. “We’re here to make changes and I believe the students at Georgia Southwestern State University can help us achieve the goal of lowering driver, crash, injury and fatality rates statewide. Who better to address the challenges and dangers facing young adults than their peers? I’m confident these students can convince their peers to be safer, more conscientious drivers.”
With the grant funds, GSW host workshops on alcohol awareness and an impaired driving prevention simulator. The University also communicates the dangers of alcohol abuse throughout the school year by email and on social media. Programming often surrounds events such as National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week in October, Safe Spring Break and summer orientation. Programs involve collaborations with camps, police, and Counseling Services.
The grant runs through the end of September each year.