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Fort Valley State University Receives Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Grant for Be the Sober One Campaign

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) received a $9,535.71 grant to support the continuation of the Be the Sober One (BTSO) campaign from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The grant money will support the campaign’s efforts in providing engaging and informative workshops like mock impaired driving simulations, on-site seatbelt checks, and more.  

2022-2023 Be the Sober One leaders, Mr. Leon Guthrie and Ms. Darriel Anderson, encourage driving the speed limit, wearing their seat belts, staying off the phone when going, and never driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

“The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with all of our highway safety partners to reverse the increase in traffic deaths, We have seen in the United States in the last two years; the goal of this project is to prevent crashes and save lives on our roads,

“Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said. 

“We ask everyone to join the mission of saving lives on our roads by driving the speed limit, wearing your seat belt, staying off the phone when driving, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” 

According to a national survey published by the Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSA Division, almost 53 percent of college students drink; and nine percent of the college population have alcoholism (now called alcohol use disorder). 

“Research shows that challenges with alcohol typically occur because students often find themselves in activities that encourage binge drinking. Many see drinking as a large component of their college experience but not here at Fort Valley State University. We employ the Gold Standard, and with this comes expectations of leadership and behavior,” said Timothy Hatchett, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“We applaud the Outreach Unit for its due diligence in consistently receiving this much-needed retention-based resource and other FVSU Department, such as Campus Safety, which shares a common understanding and commitment to its continuation. What a vital resource for our students maintained health and safety.” 

The continuation of these and related programs benefit FVSU Wildcats, and students enrolled in nearby high schools to arm them with knowledge about preventing alcohol-related driving fatalities. 

For more information on the Be the Sober One Program, please get in touch with the campaign’s Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of Outreach, Mr. Alvin Lindsey, at 478-822-1036 or lindseya@fvsu.edu. 

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