4-H CARTEENS is a traffic safety program conducted by 4-H teen leaders and their program partners for juvenile traffic offenders. 4-H CARTEENS goals include:

  • reducing the number of repeat juvenile traffic offenders,
  • decreasing the number of teen traffic offenders, and
  • increasing teen awareness of traffic/vehicular safety. 

4-H CARTEENS Background
Ohio State University faculty and staff located in county Extension offices recruit and engage adult volunteers and teen leaders who provide leadership to educational programs for youth in local communities. Over the years, county needs assessments conducted by OSU Extension have repeatedly identified teen vehicular safety as a priority need in Ohio’s communities.

The 4-H CARTEENS vehicular safety initiative was developed in response to this need. The original CARTEENS Program began in Brown County, Ohio in 1987. The local 4-H educator, volunteer teen leaders, the juvenile probate court, and the Ohio Highway Patrol all collaborated to develop the program. Since 1987, the 4-H CARTEENS program has expanded throughout Ohio and to several other states across the nation.

About Ashland County CARTEENS:

 
The Ashland County 4-H CARTEENS program is a traffic safety program for first-time juvenile traffic offenders. In partnership with the Ashland County Probate Court-Juvenile Division and local law enforcement.The CAR in CARTEENS stands for Caution And Responsibility, which is one of the objectives of the teen teachers. The program includes the following topics: drinking and driving, seat belt safety, insurance rates, peer pressure, safe driving tips, defensive driving and the consequences of unsafe driving. The program format utilizes visuals, videos, guest speakers, group discussions, statistics and an evaluation. The 4-H CARTEENS Program Benefits the Community in several ways:
  • Assists in reducing the number of second-time traffic offenders
  • Develops leadership and public speaking skills in 4-H CARTEENS members who conduct the program
  • Establishes network between juvenile court, law enforcement officials and the Ohio State University Extension 4-H Youth Development program
  • Increases community awareness of the effects of drinking and driving
  • Develops leadership and public speaking skills in 4-H CARTEENS members who conduct the program
  • Establishes network between juvenile court, law enforecement officials and the Ohio State University Extension 4-H Youth Development program
  • Increases community awareness of the effects of drinking and driving

For more information about 4-H CARTEENS, visit www.ohio4h.org/4-h-youth/teens/carteens.

Teen Drivers Needed to Teach Carteens Program: Do you consider yourself a responsible teen driver?  Would you like to teach your peers about staying safe on the roads?  Ashland County’s Juvenile Court system requires teens charged with driving violations to attend this peer taught safe driving program.  As a teacher, you will earn credits toward educational scholarships also.

 If you would like to make a difference in the lives of others, contact Amy Nalley at the Extension office or nalley.21@osu.edu.