For more than 23 years the DRIVE SMART Weld County coalition has been working to keep Weld County teen drivers and passengers safe. DRIVE SMART started the teen program in February 2001. This program works closely with our Buckle Up Drive Smart schools and is also available as a separate option for all Weld county schools. The program is available in it's entirety or it's possible to schedule just one or two speakers depending on your time frame and subject matter. The in school program engages students with law enforcement officers, trauma personnel, truck drivers, survivors, scenarios, videos and games. All are designed to help teens make wise choices when behind the wheel. Pre and post surveys are a part of the full program and allow the coalition to keep the program viable and relevant as well as sharing valuable information with the schools.
We want to hit the topics that are important to you! Let us know in what area you would like us to focus when we schedule your program. Contact us if you would like more information about a program at your school! [email protected]
We want to hit the topics that are important to you! Let us know in what area you would like us to focus when we schedule your program. Contact us if you would like more information about a program at your school! [email protected]
VIRTUAL Programming We continue to have virtual programming available. We can have a speaker/speakers present virtually and also have recorded presentations that you can use. Contact us for more information.
July 19, 2024
Kristen Duus, DSWC Outreach Coordinator, attended RE-4's School Resource Fair in Gilcrest. Students and parents were able to test the fatal vision goggles, hang out with Vince and Larry (our crash test dummies), and grab some free swag!
Kristen Duus, DSWC Outreach Coordinator, attended RE-4's School Resource Fair in Gilcrest. Students and parents were able to test the fatal vision goggles, hang out with Vince and Larry (our crash test dummies), and grab some free swag!
June 12, 2024
Stacey Chase participated in Greeley Police Department's Junior Police Academy at Northridge High School, teaching students the importance of wearing seatbelts and not driving distracted.
Stacey Chase participated in Greeley Police Department's Junior Police Academy at Northridge High School, teaching students the importance of wearing seatbelts and not driving distracted.
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May 3, 2024
Drive Smart Weld County hosted a retirement ceremony for the car of Zach Maurer, who was killed in a single-car accident in 2005. Zach had been speeding, was not seat-belted and was under the influence of alcohol when he missed a turn and was ejected from his vehicle. Zach's mother, Lori Stutts, was the honoree of the ceremony. 
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A few images from past programs!
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March 5, 2019
Ron Waterman, Eaton PD, Banner Paramedics, Helfrich Allstate Insurance all partnered to present the DST program at Eaton High School. 
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February 5, 2019
We had our first DRIVE SMART Teen program of the spring semester this morning at Roosevelt High in Johnstown. Many thanks to our team of partners for making this program a success. We had the big rig from Walmart to help educate students and staff about safe driving around big rigs, banner paramedics, Johnstown Police, Allstate agent Sue Helfrich , Colorado Motor Carriers Association, professional driver and teacher Scott Murray, and survivor Marva Wilcox. All teamed up to help teens make wise choices behind the wheel. 
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November 13, 2018
Platte Valley High school hosted the DST program with 84 freshman participating. Kersey Police Chief Gottschaulk put students through the roadside sobriety tests while wearing the fatal vision goggles and addressed making wise choices behind the wheel. Sue Helfrich from Helfrich Allstate Insurance talked to students about how poor choices affect insurance rates. 
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October 23, 2018
We had an good morning with students at Roosevelt High! A full program of survivor speakers, trauma, law enforcement, driving safely around big rigs, and insurance filled the morning with inspiring, touching and educational moments with some fun and games thrown in. Thanks to Roosevelt High for having us! |
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October 16, 2018
The DRIVE SMART Teen program brought out the big rig during the Truck Smart part of the program at Weld Central High School. Students were able to listen to a driver talk about how to drive around a big rig and then were able to get in the cab and experience for themselves the blind spots or No Zones. Many thanks to our partners at Walmart and Colorado Motor Carriers Association. |
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October 8, 2018
We presented to a great group of Valley High School students. Officer Matt McChesney did a great job of talking to students about GDL, distracted and impaired driving and seat belts. We caught a short video of students attempting to break apart a seat belt during a tug-o-war. |
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October 2, 2018
The team has begun the programs for this year! Our first program was hosted by Northridge High with 350 students in attendance. Officer Zander from Greeley PD puts student volunteers through some roadside sobriety tests while wearing the fatal vision goggles. |
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March 13, 2018
The DRIVE SMART Teen program was at Eaton High School with a good group of students. Thank you to Eaton PD for stepping in to speak! 
Survivor speaker Jordin Martinez shares his experience.
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The fatal vision goggles are always an experience.
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March 6, 2018
Good day with the students of Scott Leffler's class at Valley High. Thanks to Platteville PD, Jordin Martinez, Sarah Kos/CMCA, Stacey Chase/Banner and all the other volunteers who made this day possible! 
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Students play tug-o-war to see if they can get a seat belt to separate.
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February 6, 2018
Roosevelt coach Wasinger presents student Adriana Trujillo a $25 gift card from the DRIVE SMART Teen program for her winning instagram post. 
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November 14, 2017
Survivor speaker Jordin Martinez looks on as students use the fatal vision goggles at the Weld Central DRIVE SMART Teen program this week. Jordin lost his father and two younger brothers when a drunk driver hit their family van. We appreciate our survivor speakers sharing their stories and time with students |
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Faith Stephens had the winning safety pledge and received a $25 gift card.
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November 7, 2017
Thanks to Kersey Fire Department for letting us use their facilities to host the Platte Valley DRIVE SMART Teen program to the freshman. Officer Thienes of Kersey PD did an awesome job presenting the Law Enforcement piece! 
Officer Thienes, Kersey PD, explains the walk and turn maneuver to a student.
Cassidy Reed was the winner of a $25 gift card for her safety pledge tweet.
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A student explains the No Zone after listening to big rig driver Scott Murray speak.
Program facilitator and Banner Paramedic Stacey Chase watches as Scott Murray, professional driver, interacts with students.
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October 24, 2017
Roosevelt hosted the DRIVE SMART Teen program to a great freshman class. Lots of good questions and interaction. Thanks for having us! 
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Roosevelt teacher Robin Wells presents Macey Parrott a $25 gift card from DRIVE SMART Weld County for her winning social media pledge.
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October 18, 2017
Angelo Gonzalez had the winning #dstseatbeltpledge from the Valley High DRIVE SMART Teen program. It was a good afternoon with students and sponsoring teacher Scott and Officer Matt McChesney from Platteville PD. 
One of the football players attempts a feat of strength with survivor speaker Ron Waterman.
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October 10, 2017
Northridge High kicked off the start to our 2017/2018 DRIVE SMART Teen programs. A great group of kids with speakers Ron Waterman, Officer Colby Zander, and Banner Paramedic and EMTs Stacey Chase and Jaylie Ross. Dylan Mauro was the winner of the $25 gift card for the best seat belt pledge tweet. Many thanks to the Allstate Foundation, State Farm and CDOT for funding for these programs! |
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March 28, 2017
Two seniors working on a safe driving project hosted a DRIVE SMART Teen program at Union Colony Prep school. The students and staff were awesome to work with. Thanks Garrett and Mathew for the work you are doing to keep Weld County residents safe on our roadways! 
Playing catch with fatal vision goggles on can be pretty tricky!
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March 21, 2017
What a day with the awesome students at Platte Valley High! Many thanks to our wonderful presenters: Banner Health, Kersey Police Dept., Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Finders, Helfrich Allstate Insurance and Lori Stutts. They make our programming possible. 
The winning tweet of the day.
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Banner Paramedic Stacey Chase gets her point across how a pelvis can be crushed by an improperly worn seat belt.
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Sue Helfrich makes even insurance exciting!
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March 14. 2017
DRIVE SMART Teen interacted with 148 enthusiastic students at Eaton High School. Thanks for making our day! 
The winning safety pledge tweet from the day.
Eaton PD put students through roadside sobriety paces.
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The winning tweet from the Valley High #seatbeltpledge
Speaker Ron Waterman demonstrated feats of strength and then talked about the importance of wise choices.
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March 7, 2017
Thanks to Valley High and Scott Leffler for hosting the program yesterday. The students and speakers were awesome! 
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The winning tweet from Highland High school.
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February 28. 2017
Thanks to teacher Zach Sandstrom for sponsoring the DRIVE SMART Teen program at Highland again this year. It was a fun interactive day with students, Ault Pd, survivors, and staff. 
Ault PD makes students walk the line with Fatal Vision goggles.
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February 7.2017
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October 25. 2016
A happy "Good Morning!" from the students at Roosevelt High! Survivors Luis Cerenil and Marva Wilcox made a lasting impression and Johnstown Officer Rod Brown dished the latest on GDL, distracted driving, and DUIs. Kersten Rogers was the winner of the Twitter seat belt pledge. |
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October 18. 2016
Thanks to Valley High and teacher Scott Leffler for sponsoring a super program! Officer Lago did a fantastic job explaining GDL, seat belt use and making wise choices. Can't wait for the spring class! |
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October 11.2016
We had a good program with a large group of students at Northridge High! Lots of good tweets were sent to our twitter contest. The winner of the random drawing was Amy Haining. Amy posted a brief video of distracted driving. Congratulations Amy! |
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September 27. 2016
Here are a few tweets and speaker Ron Waterman from the DST program at Weld Central yesterday. Thanks to the DST team, students and staff (Melissa Jones) for a good morning! 
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September 20. 2016
We began the 2016 2017 school year with a program at Prairie High in New Raymer. New Raymer/Stoneham fireman were on hand to demo equipment and talk about safe driving in rural areas. There were lots of good tweets with Paige Northrup being the winner of the random drawing for a $25 gift card. |
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Students complete a roadside sobriety test with fatal vision goggles.
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A few seat belt pledge tweets from Valley. #dstseatbeltpledge 
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Trying to play catch while wearing fatal vision goggles. |
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Seat belt tug o war.
Guess what?
It didn't break.