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Published: Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 04:49 PM

Make ‘Alive at 25' mandatory

At a meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, the Fort Mill School Board is expected to discuss the possibility of making the popular “Alive at 25” safe driving class mandatory at the district's two high schools.

We'd like to see the board make that happen.

School board member Patrick White initially called for the course, which is run by an officer from the Fort Mill Police Department, to be included in the curriculum last year. After the recent deaths of two Nation Ford High School students in separate auto accidents, White's proposal has been revisited – with much more interest from officials and parents.

If numbers tell the story, making Alive at 25 shouldn't be too difficult a sell this time around. While auto accidents remain the No. 1 killer of people between the ages of 15 and 24, of the 19,000 people in that group who have taken the course, only five lost their lives in a crash.

Those opposed to the idea of making the program mandatory for students old enough to drive might cite the $35 fee each student pays to cover the cost of the instructors and materials. Another argument against it is that the four-hour class is now taught on Saturdays and it's unclear if students can be required to report on a weekend.

The cost shouldn't be an issue at all. Even at a time when money is tight, most families would be willing to budget an extra $35 to help keep their kids safe. Arrangements could be made to subsidize the cost for students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch. If state education officials rule that schools can't compel students to attend a Saturday class, then we're sure the district can make arrangements with the Fort Mill Police Department to offer it during the week.

We're talking about four hours out of an entire school year – hardly the most imposing logistical challenge officials will face in their careers.

Investigators have not determined if poor or distracted driving played a role in the crashes that claimed the lives of local students Michelle DiBernardini, 16, and Luke Hoover, 17. Nonetheless, it's not a stretch to imagine too many of their peers are at risk when they're behind the wheel either because of inexperience or dangerous habits, such as talking or texting while they drive.

What better way to honor their memories than making sure high school students in Fort Mill have every opportunity to learn the skills that may very well save their lives?