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Alive @ 25 is back at McGuire

  • Published
  • By 305th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Alive @ 25 driver education classes will be held March 12-13 for McGuire personnel aged 26-years-old or younger.

Alive @ 25 is a single, four-hour course providing attendees a chance to hear and be heard regarding decision-making while on the road. What risk will you accept when you are driving? When do you choose not to accept the risk? Why?

The course is not about road or traffic education like stopping at red lights or obeying speed limits; rather it's about the decision-making and behaviors drivers with less driving experience will accept. The program was first developed in Colorado in 1996. Since its implementation, the state has witnessed a dramatic decrease in fatalities involving drivers ages 26 and younger.

For drivers age 25 years and younger, the national fatality rate is 13 fatalities per 20,000 drivers; for Alive @ 25 graduates, the rate dramatically decreases to 1.1 fatalities per 20,000 - 90 percent less than the national average.

"There is no doubt in [the New Jersey National Safety Council members'] minds that this program works," said Tom Diveley, 305th Air Mobility Wing Ground Safety manager said. "It is the best and most effective tool to reduce the risk of fatality in our most at-risk driving group."

The program is spreading like wild fire. Numerous New Jersey State Troopers are in the process of becoming certified instructors and will teach the course at local schools across the state and to drivers who may have less driving experience. The Freehold Regional School District is taking a "no-prisoners" approach by requiring students to have the training before they can receive a student parking pass their senior year. Other districts are also taking a stand and playing a role in the adaptation of this program.

Rutgers University has funded four more free courses to McGuire AFB. The course will be taught by the New Jersey National Safety Council. Each class consists of 30 people and will be held on the March 12 and 13 to active duty military first. If room is available the opportunity will be forwarded to guard, reserve and then AF dependents. This will allow a total of 120 people to take part of this excellent learning opportunity absolutely free.

Participants are to be 26 years old or younger and either driving or soon to be driving.
Seats will be given out in a first come, first serve basis. See your supervisor, first sergeant or unit safety representative for information on how you may attend.