The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) announced Friday the receipt of a grant totaling $186,000 earmarked for the Alcohol and Drug Awareness (ADAP) program. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) approved the funding to be used to enhance one of the state’s teen driver education programs targeting young people and drug and alcohol impairment.

“We are grateful for this continued grant support from GOHS. This particular funding will enhance our efforts to provide effective alcohol and drug awareness programs for teens throughout the state,” said DDS Commissioner Greg Dozier. All Georgia teens must

successfully passADAP before applying for their Class D driver’s license. The course is designed to educate teens on the consequences of operating a motor vehicle while impaired. More than 135,000 students complete the program annually.

DDS became the responsible agency for administering ADAP in July, 2005. Since that time new rules have been approved, DDS staff has conducted ADAP classes at numerous locations, and partnered with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to develop new instructor presentation kits to provide continuity of message and training throughout the state.

Trauma from traffic crashes is still the number one killer of our young people. Data shows young drivers are involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes at a much higher rate than adults. “This grant is part of a comprehensive approach with our DDS partners to address teen driving behavior, beginning with pre-teens before they begin the driving experience,” said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. “Early ADAP education encourages them to reduce high-risk driving situations by remaining sober, buckling up and slowing down. The goal is to make them safer drivers before they get behind the wheel,” said Dallas.

DDS has also revised the student workbook, distributed it to public and private schools, and expanded ADAP information on the DDS website: www.dds.ga.gov including an on-line question “Ask ADAP” and a comment feature. In 2006, DDS received approximately 6,000 inquiries pertaining to the ADAP program and has automated the records management to ensure accuracy.

“While discouraging other dangerous driving behaviors, ADAP is specifically designed to deter teen consumption of drugs and alcohol while driving,” said Director Dallas. “With these updates and revisions from DDS, the ADAP program can significantly improve the attitudes of young motorists in the way they regard the privilege of driving in Georgia.”

For more information on teen driving requirements visit www.dds.ga.gov or driving safety information visit: www.gohs.ga.gov .