Grant Funds Impaired Driving Program

SALISBURY, MD--In an ongoing effort to prevent impaired driving, the Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO) has joined forces with the Eastern Shore Regional Safe Communities Center at Salisbury State University to provide mini-grants totaling $10,000 to five local colleges and universities on the Shore.

Salisbury State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wor-Wic Community College, Washington College and Cecil County Community College have each received $2,000 from MHSO to produce and support new and innovative impaired driving programs. Each institution submitted a proposal and all five proposals were approved. 

“I think that it is important that the colleges take a part in combating impaired driving,” said Chris Byrnes Jr., the Eastern Shore Regional Safe Communities director. 

“There is an important message that should be targeted to this age group, and now there are five effective programs on the Shore to deliver that message. And that message is that we all have a responsibility in the fight against impaired driving.”

The grants come from Federal Highway Traffic Safety funds and will support programs that include elements such as the Dodge Neon Drunk Driving Simulator, speakers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Fatal Vision Goggles, mock crashes and other educational pieces. To enhance their effectiveness, several of the programs will be collaborative efforts among more than one college.  A meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 24, at SSU to share innovative ideas, discuss the proposed programs and promote collaboration. Anyone interested in attending this meeting or any future meetings is encouraged to contact Byrnes at 410-543-6309.

Each campus has until September 30 to complete their respective programs.