Drive Smart South Coast is a partnership between local law enforcement, community-minded leaders and businesses along with the South Coast Youth Courts have formed a coalition to prevent distracted driving in the area. Drive Smart South Coast will utilize a 3-pronged approach of heightened enforcement, education and diversion programming and community awareness to address the issue.
Drive Smart South Coast is a six-week diversion program serving juveniles between the ages of 16-18 within the South Coast, Acushnet, Dartmouth and Fairhaven areas. As cases a processed, young drivers will not only receive an educational class, but they will serve community service in their town/city educating others on the dangers of distracted driving. They will also be responsible for supporting and promoting educational campaigns across our community to encourage teenagers as well as adults to be more responsible. Successful participation in the program will allow youth and their families to avoid expensive fines, insurance premiums and a license suspension.
Sanctions that could be issued: Distracted driving class, Community Service, Jury Duty at Youth Court, written or verbal apologies, reflections papers. Community Service will entail working to better educate the community about Distracted Driving among juveniles as well as Adults through various projects.