For many young drivers, formal education behind the wheel stops when they pass their learner’s permit test. A license doesn’t equal maturity, and memorizing road signs doesn’t prepare someone for the split-second decisions that can mean the difference between a safe arrival and a life-changing accident. Responsible driving requires situational awareness and, of course, good judgment. It also demands a deeper understanding of how small choices, such as glancing at a text or exceeding the speed limit, can have ripple effects that extend far beyond the driver.

That understanding has shaped a more meaningful approach to driver safety in Milton, Georgia. The Milton Police Department, in partnership with the Milton First Responders Foundation, offers the Alive at 25 Driver Safety Program to help young drivers go beyond the basics. This isn’t a box to check; it’s a chance to change behavior before a serious mistake happens. Taught by certified law enforcement officers, the program focuses on the real risks and responsibilities that come with being behind the wheel. The mission is to support a more informed generation of drivers, stronger relationships between law enforcement and the public, and a meaningful impact on community safety.

A Proven Model for Young Driver Intervention

Developed in collaboration with the National Safety Council Southeastern Chapter, the Alive at 25 program is a highly interactive, four-hour course designed specifically for individuals ages 15 to 24. Unlike technical driving instruction or state-required education, Alive at 25 zeroes in on decision-making, personal responsibility, and the behavioral aspects of driving. The goal is not just to teach the rules of the road but to help young people internalize the consequences of unsafe driving habits like distracted driving, tailgating, and speeding. As Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin explains, “The Alive at 25 program is one of the most effective tools we have for reaching young drivers before tragedy strikes. It goes beyond the basics of driving; it helps them understand the real consequences of risky behavior behind the wheel. This class is an investment in their safety and the safety of everyone on the road.”

Participants often come into the course expecting a lecture but leave with a completely different perspective. They’re met with real stories, statistics that hit close to home, and instructors who care not just about the rules but about the people learning them.

The curriculum includes modules on Georgia driving laws, statistical data on collisions involving young drivers, peer influence, impaired driving, and managing in-vehicle distractions.

To get the most out of the class, students are encouraged to actively listen and join in the discussions. By doing so, they can better reflect on their own driving habits and begin to understand how their decisions affect others on the road. The whole premise behind the program centers on two things, personal responsibility and implementing good habits. The instructors assist young drivers in identifying areas they need to improve and help them understand why it is so important. There’s no sugarcoating the realities of reckless driving, but there’s also no judgment from the instructors, just guidance, honesty, and support.

At the end of the course, students complete a short assessment to reiterate what they’ve learned. Those who successfully finish the program receive a certificate of completion, which may be accepted by the courts or used to qualify for insurance discounts, depending on individual circumstances. Many students have said the class helped them understand driving is a privilege and with that comes a responsibility to others.

A Foundation for Safer Roads

In 2019, the Milton First Responders Foundation (MFRF), led by Brian Dolan and Robyn Pinto, took over the administrative and financial management of Milton’s Alive at 25 program. In doing so, the Foundation has helped sustain the program, expand its reach, and improve its quality. By covering costs related to officer instructor certification, teaching materials, course scheduling, and payment systems, MFRF has provided the infrastructure necessary for long-term success.

Their involvement also gives the program a community-driven aspect. When the people supporting it are neighbors, volunteers, and parents of teens themselves, the mission becomes more than organizational; it becomes personal.

Over the years, more than 1,500 individuals have completed the program under MFRF’s management. The Foundation has collected over $84,000 in program fees, with net proceeds directly supporting the police and fire departments and their families. These funds also allow the Milton First Responders Foundation to offer financial assistance to individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford the course, resulting in two sponsorships totaling $3,720. MFRF believes in clear financial stewardship with an emphasis on strategic reinvestment which has resulted in more than $22,000 being returned to program operations. MFRF also offered a helping hand with the administrative bookkeeping for the City of Alpharetta, ultimately expanding the program’s benefits beyond city lines.

This kind of collaboration is rare and speaks to the value of partnerships focusing on prevention rather than just response. In a world where emergency services are often reactive by necessity, the Alive at 25 program represents a conscious approach to reducing emergencies before they ever occur.

Officer Charles Fannon of the Milton Police Department currently leads course coordination. More than nine officers have been trained and certified to instruct the course, ensuring that participants are taught by professionals with real-world law enforcement experience and specific Alive at 25 teaching credentials. This instructor diversity also allows the program to remain flexible, with multiple perspectives and voices sharing their insights.

The Broader Impact

The Alive at 25 program is more than a tool for reducing traffic citations or lowering insurance rates. It represents a larger commitment to preventative public safety. Young drivers are statistically overrepresented in crash data. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers aged 16–19 are nearly three times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a fatal crash per mile driven. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from 2021 further highlights the risk. While drivers aged 20 and under accounted for just 5.1% of all licensed drivers in the U.S., they represented 8.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes and 12.6% of those in all crashes. Programs like Alive at 25 help disrupt these patterns by intervening early before they escalate into devastating outcomes.

What makes this program stand out isn’t just the data; it’s the stories behind it. Officers share their on-duty experiences with traffic stops that have gone wrong, families whose lives have been changed forever due to preventable accidents, as well as the close calls that still haunt them. The personal approach seems to stick with students, giving a face to the consequences that statistics alone can’t provide.

Self-awareness and accountability can often be elusive for young people, especially on the road. Group formats, such as this class, are useful because they enable deeper discussions and information exchanges, therefore changing a punitive experience into a developmental one. “We do everything we can to make the class interactive and even fun at times,” said Officer Charles Fannon, a certified instructor with the Milton Police Department. “Our goal is to help shift risky driving behaviors, and a big part of that comes from showing participants that we’re human too, not just someone who may have written them a citation.” Fannon notes that many students express appreciation for the positive environment. At the end of each session, he surveys the group with a simple question: who learned something new? “I always get 100% of the hands,” he says. “We may never know exactly how many lives this program has helped protect, but I believe it’s quite a few.”

There is in fact a ripple effect. That message spreads when a young driver returns home after taking the class and talks to their siblings, friends, or even parents about what they learned. At that moment, safety then becomes a shared responsibility.

A Community Investment

The cost of the Alive at 25 course is $50 per student. The Milton First Responders Foundation collects all funds, manages the registration process, and allocates proceeds to support the well-being of local first responders and their families. This reinvestment model ensures the program remains sustainable while benefiting those who serve the Milton community every day.

And because the course is held locally and led by familiar faces, there’s a sense of community ownership that’s hard to replicate. It’s more than anonymous, one-size-fits-all training. It’s local people looking out for local kids.

As a partnership among the Milton Police Department, Milton First Responders Foundation, and the National Safety Council, Alive at 25 is a standout example of how law enforcement agencies can lead proactive safety initiatives while building stronger ties within their communities. It is a model that could benefit other agencies and communities for public relations and compliance purposes because the data reflects that it works. And when something works this well, it deserves to be shared.

Conclusion

A program such as Alive at 25 offers more than statistics and instruction. It also reinforces trust between officers and the community, supports long-term public safety, and creates a replicable model that inspires positive change. Although the real impact may never be fully measurable, the hope is that a young driver will make safer choices because of what they learned in class.

To learn more about upcoming Alive at 25 sessions or to register, contact Officer Charles Fannon at charles.fannon@miltonga.gov or 678-242-2778.