Ohio has launched a $2.5 million funding initiative to expand access to teen driver training across the state. The Pickaway Ross Career and Technology Center in Chillicothe is set to receive a grant of $72,280 as part of the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program, which aims to support teenage drivers whose families cannot otherwise afford the cost of a driving school. The program will distribute grants totaling $2,495,655 to 35 local school districts and government agencies over two rounds of funding.
Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of helping young people receive driver training to make the roads safer for everyone, stating that teens who obtain their driver’s license before they turn 18 are less likely to be involved in a crash in their first year of having a license. Director Andy Wilson from the Ohio Department of Public Safety also highlighted the critical role that driver training plays in setting teens up for a successful future. By distributing these funds to local jurisdictions, the program aims to address specific localized needs and resources of each community.
This announcement follows a series of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers launched by Governor DeWine, including the CODE Grant program that supports the expansion of driver training options in underserved areas. Through these efforts, Ohio is striving to ensure that young drivers receive necessary skills and knowledge to drive safely on the roads.
