Georgia Gwinnett College has received a $15,883 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support its “Protecting the Grizzly Den” initiative, focused on reducing impaired and distracted driving among students. This is the second year that the college has received this grant.
The funding will expand the program to include four major highway safety events throughout the year, including activities during the college’s Alcohol and Other Drugs awareness event, “Paws Before You Puff and Think Before You Drink.” These initiatives are designed to address the risks associated with alcohol and drug use and their impact on safe driving.
Grant funds will support the hiring of two peer health educators who will plan, implement and evaluate programming across campus. The award will also help the college bring two DUI education speakers to campus and purchase safety education tools such as activity mats and “walk-the-line” tapes.
Through these efforts, the college aims to educate at least 600 students on safe driving practices and increase awareness surrounding impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt use.
“Innovative projects like this are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century,” said Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”
“Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive safely,” said Dr. Matthew Robison, GGC’s associate provost for Student Affairs. “These programs empower Grizzlies to look out for one another and make choices that support their future.”
The grant period runs Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.