Operation Teen Safe Driving Grant

More Grant Money = Safer Teens

by Eva McGill

November 11, 2008

CO$T has been honored once again to receive $2000 from the Operation Teen Safe Drivers program. The Illinois Department of Transportation has promised $1000 and the Allstate Foundation has promised the other $1000. The project runs from December 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009. CO$T is competing against 15 other schools in our region for Post Prom money and project continuation money as well as the opportunity to attend the Ford Driving Skills For Life Ride and Drive.

You can expect a number of projects including Safety Day and some work on safe driving in winter conditions. CO$T also plans to complete some projects that have been in the works such as a Crash Map and a Memorial Video.

According to Illinois crash statistics, programs like this do make a difference. In the first six months of 2007, there were 82 teen fatalities due to traffic crashes in Illinois. During the same timeframe in 2008, 39 teens died, but there were 43 fewer fatalities than the previous year. Thank you to our school and community for all of your support on our past projects. We know it is making a difference. The fatality statistics prove it!