Are you a potential statistic?

Airmen participate in the Alive at 25 course at Seymour Johnson Air Force base Aug. 24, 2011. Airmen read aloud, answered questions and interacted with the instructors to get a better understanding of safe driving habits. The Alive at 25 handbook points out driving statistics, hazards Airmen encounter everyday while driving and asks them what they think is the most distracting thing while driving. These Airmen are the first students to go through this course here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Are you a potential statistic?

Staff Sgt. Anthony Altomare speaks with Airmen during the Alive at 25 course at Seymour Johnson Air Force base Aug. 24, 2011. Altomare encourages them to think about their actions and pay attention to their surroundings while driving. The Airmen that participated in this course were informed of driving statistics that affect their age group. Altomare is a ground safety technician at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and a native of Lisbon, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Are you a potential statistic?

Tech. Sgt. Biagi Borrero teaches the Alive at 25 course at Seymour Johnson Air Force base Aug. 24, 2011. Alive at 25 is a defensive driving course offered to Airmen under the age of 25, which points out the hazards of driving and the responsibilities of being behind the wheel. Borrero is a safety technician at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and a native of Hampton, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Are you a potential statistic?

Airmen participate in Alive at 25 course at Seymour Johnson Air Force base Aug. 24, 2011. Airmen read along in a defensive driving course booklet created to promote safe driving for younger Airmen. The course began as a replacement for the 3B defensive driving course offered to new Airmen. Alive at 25 is a defensive driving course offered to people under the age of 25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Are you a potential statistic?

Published Aug. 30, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen here participated in a new defensive driving course for those under the age of 25.

The "Alive at 25" course is a National Safety Council defensive driving aid designed for those under the age of 25, said Staff Sgt. Pierre Convers, 4th Fighter Wing ground safety manager.

Airmen from all over the country came to Seymour Johnson AFB to be trained and NSC certified to teach Alive at 25. On Aug. 22, 2011, Airmen learned, and were certified to teach, the course. The rest of the week they put their teaching abilities into action by instructing Airmen on base about the hazards encountered while driving.

According to the NSC, the number one cause of death for people in the 15 to 24 age group is motor vehicle accidents.

"The Alive at 25 course is becoming a replacement for the 3B course throughout the Air Force, which is an advanced driving course to help educate our Airmen," Convers said. "This course is being taken in by the younger Airmen because it's more enjoyable and not outdated like the older 3B course."

Attending this course allows Airmen to actively participate and learn about hazards, distractions and statistics; it also can help decrease the cost of their insurance, said Staff Sgt. Anthony Altomare, a new instructor and ground safety technician at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

"Every year almost 11,000 15 to 24 year olds die in motor vehicle crashes. That's like having a passenger airplane crash and kill everyone on board, every week," according to NSC.

To sign up for the next Alive at 25 course, contact the safety office at 919-722-4222.