UNG receives highway safety grant from GOHS

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has received a $20,085.40 grant to participate in the Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP) of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. The program addresses young adult driver crashes, injuries and fatalities and partners with colleges and universities throughout the state to implement the GYAP.

The GYAP program at UNG coordinates events during Weeks of Welcome, National Collegiate Alcohol Education Week, Spirit Nights, and Safe Spring Break Week, offering activities such as DUI simulators, knowing your blood-alcohol content, and drinking responsibly. The grant runs out of the office of Campus Recreation and Wellness and collaborates with multiple offices across the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses.

"All events are aimed at engaging and teaching the student population about the real dangers of irresponsible driving. Students especially appreciate that I offer drink cup covers, which are designed to prevent drink spiking. They have expressed gratitude for the work I do to advocate for safer highway practices," Matilee Rogers, GOHS peer health educator in Campus Recreation and Wellness, said. "The ability to have real, impactful conversations with fellow students fosters a sense of community and peer support. I value the opportunities to participate in meaningful conversations and promote responsible driving practices."

This program has proven to be successful using strategies such as peer education, providing educational activities to schools and encouraging schools to develop creative, innovative techniques to reduce young adult crashes, injuries and fatalities in their communities.

"Part of the GOHS mission is to assist in the implementation of programs and campaigns designed to prevent crashes and eliminate traffic deaths on our roads," Allen Poole, director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, said. "GOHS will continue to develop new partnerships and continue existing ones in order to create, refine and implement safety programs designed to help our state and nation reach our goal of zero traffic deaths."

The grant year for this award will be Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026.

For more information on this grant program, contact GOHS at 404-656-6996, and for more information on GOHS and its other highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.