Sunday, April 23, 2000
Safety is teens' driving force
Program makes teachers of ex-violators
By Dionne Braddix
Enquirer contributor
HAMILTON — Teen-age drivers giving advice to teen-age drivers is the basis of a safety education program that's well into its second year in Butler County.
Butler County 4-H Carteens (Caring and Responsible Teenagers) provides education on Ohio law and traffic safety to peers sent to court for the first time on speeding and other violations, if their judge so orders.
The program, held locally in the Ohio State University extension in Butler County, is integrated into about 25 of Ohio's 88 counties. The teachers are youths who have been asked to volunteer either because of their work in 4-H, or because they have gone through the program themselves. Putting on twice-monthly programs , the But ler County program began with just 18 teen-agers. The number of instructors has grown rapidly to about 40.
“This program has been extremely effective,” said James Jordan, extension agent for 4-H youth development at the OSU Extension. “They are an arm of the Juvenile Court system.”
Ohio State Patrol trooper Larry Masenheimer agreed that the program has produced favorable results. The Ohio State Patrol is a sponsor of Carteens.
Trooper Masenheimer said that he had some doubts at first because he was skeptical about peer education. “I think these teens are very impressive. They know at least part of the Ohio law as well as I do,” he said.
Randi Ecchino is a leader of the effort.
“The fact that it's teens teaching teens is the best part,” said Randi, 17, a senior at Fairfield High School said. “Because it's teens up there teaching, I think they can relate more because we understand them..”
She said that a personal message from a fellow teen often connects.
“One member of the Carteens was in a severe car accident in Mason last year,” she said. “When it gets to her section, she tells her story. It opens their eyes.”
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