Vt. First State to Implement Statewide Multimedia, Impaired Driver Ed Program

During the 2002-2003 school year, Vermont driver education teachers and students will be introduced to Crash Site™, a state-of-the art, interactive CD-ROM program designed to help teens understand the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the Vermont Department of Education announced.

Crash Site supports the state’s already comprehensive driver education curriculum, which includes mock crashes as well as presentations by automobile insurers, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), emergency medical and law enforcement personnel and individuals convicted of driving under the influence.

Teens confidentially input personal risk factors to see how they might fare under true-to-life circumstances. During two 45-minutes sessions, a student gathers clues from a lawyer, police detective, peer, counselor and doctor to solve the mystery of an impaired driving crash in which he or she was “involved” as a driver, passenger or by-stander. Video interviews with real teens and parents offer personal glimpses into life after an impaired driving crash.

The program also includes a classroom discussion guide, and parent-teen exercises.