Checkpoints program at JCTC this month

This month, Jessamine Career and Technology Center is hosting a Checkpoints Program, designed to reduce teen crashes and violations received by teenage drivers.

“I was hired August last year as the Coordinator for the Healthy and Safe Community Coalition for Jessamine County,” Bruce Crouch said. “This is a coalition that was recently formed from the latest Jessamine County Community Health Assessment that was completed early in 2018. One of the bigger projects that is ongoing for the Safety Workgroup is the Checkpoints program.”

The class is a one-hour program and will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12. JCTC is located at 881 Wilmore Road, behind the Jessamine County Board of Education building. At least one parent or guardian must attend with the teen driver and jointly complete a parent driving agreement to receive a discount on the student parking permit and other incentives which may be offered by the program.

“The purpose of Checkpoints is to provide parents with tools to help them communicate to their new teen drivers how driving can be as safe as possible, and the goal of the Checkpoints Program is to reduce teen crashes and eliminate driving violations received by teen drivers,” Crouch said.

Studies show new teenage drivers are at a greater risk of crash during the first months without adult supervision, while driving at night, driving with passengers in the vehicle, driving on high speed roads, driving in poor weather conditions and driving on unfamiliar roads. Studies also show families who complete the program experience an increase in the understanding of teen driving risks, establish guidelines to reduce risks beyond the graduated driver’s license law, have written agreements to reduce teen driving risks and a show a reduction in risky teen driving behavior.

“Within the ages of 15 to 24 the leading cause of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits for Kentucky Residents is motor vehicle accidents,” Crouch said. “They both (teens and parents) can benefit because they will have an up-front understanding of the dangers and expectations for driving. The school district has agreed to offer a discount for the parking permits at the schools. We are also working with local businesses to offer incentives to attend the course. Ultimately the biggest benefit would be that we save a life.”

For more information, contact brucel.crouch@ky.gov or kevin.grimes@nicholasville.org.