TEENS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

AND THERE IS AWAY “YOU” CAN HELP

While the LaGrange and Grafton communities are still mourning and trying to come to grips with the loss of three teenagers to traffic crashes – a group of teens continue their work to try and prevent such tragedies.

CARTEENS is a traffic safety program conducted by 4-H teen leaders and their program partners for juvenile traffic offenders.

4-H CARTEENS goals include:

- reducing the number of repeat juvenile traffic offenders,
- decreasing the number of teen traffic offenders, and
- increasing teen awareness of traffic/vehicular safety.

Rebecca Brummer is a 2006 graduate of Midview High School and is a 4-H CARTEENS Leader. Brummer invited TMC NEWS to their Fall Fest Open House last week to introduce us to their program. “The open house is an opportunity for us to inform the community about our program and how we try to help educate teens about safe driving practices. This is also an evening for our group to have fun with different activities such as apple bobbing and egg caring contests – but with a twist.”

The twist is that the kids were supposed to perform the seemingly simple tasks but while wearing “Fatal Vision” goggles. The goggles are meant to simulate an intoxicated condition to those wearing them.

CARTEENS began in 1986 in Brown County, Ohio – Lorain County’s CARTEENS program started about 10 years ago according to Brummer.

While speaking about the most recent traffic fatalities in Lorain County, neither of which involved alcohol or drugs, Brummer said that more education is needed about careless and reckless driving. “I think everybody knows by know how harmful and deadly driving while intoxicated can be – but I don’t think enough education is aimed at reckless driving. Teens need to be educated about fatalities caused by speed, fatalities caused by not paying attention and it’s not only just fatalities a lot of youth don’t understand how expensive an accident or a speeding ticket can become. I’m hoping that if we can educate the community then we will see a difference on the roadways.”

The Lorain County Juvenile Court sends traffic offenders to CARTEENS twice a month for classes. Brummer said this is where the First Responders from throughout Lorain County can help their program. “Any Firefighter, Police Officer, EMS Personnel, anyone who responds to these calls that can give a couple hours of their time to come to the class and share their first hand experiences is so valuable and very much needed. I can tell you that we work very closely with the local Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Lieutenant Glenn Peterson has been a wonderful partner with our group. Lt. Peterson will send a Trooper, when one is available; to speak at our classes and it is always very effective. But we know there are Firefighters and other Police Officers out there who have experiences that would greatly benefit the kids that are sent to us and we encourage them to call and get involved.”

If you are interested in getting involved or have any questions about CARTEENS you can call Rebecca Brummer at 440.326.5851.

To learn more about CARTEENS you can visit their website at: http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/carteens.html