AAA Missouri donated a recent model SUV to Platte County High School to help expand its driver education program. The donation, made during a ceremony Friday, April 24 at the school, aims to support an initiative that is already demonstrating real-world traffic safety benefits.
“The additional car will help expand our offerings throughout the year and allow more students to get practice driving,” said Dr. Chad Sayre, Platte County School District director of student services. “Previously we could only have one instructor with one vehicle. Now we can double the size of the program.”
Platte County High School’s driver education program trains approximately 60–70 students each year and has been in operation for more than two decades. While many Missouri school districts have reduced or eliminated driver education, Platte County has remained committed to prioritizing safe driving instruction.
“It is important to maintain driver education to help our students have access and opportunity to receive high-quality and interactive driving knowledge,” Sayre said. “These skills ultimately improve road safety for all in our community.”
Traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens ages 16 to 19 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet Missouri is one of only 13 states that do not require any form of driver education to obtain a driver’s license. Without a state mandate in place, only about 7% of high schools in Missouri offer a driver education course during the school year. Platte County School District is among the minority of districts that continue to offer a full driver education program, including classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training, during the school year.
“Too many young drivers across the state lack access to adequate driver education,” said AAA Missouri Vice President Maurice Williams. “Platte County School District is a shining example of how a commitment to driver training can improve the lives and safety of not only students, but everyone on the road.”
The district’s continued investment in driver education is helping to foster safer driving habits, with benefits that extend well beyond Platte County’s student population and into the broader community. State health data shows Platte County is among the safest counties in Missouri when it comes to motor vehicle fatalities. From 2013 to 2023, Platte County recorded the second-lowest overall traffic fatality rate in the state, approximately 41% lower than Missouri’s overall average.
“Teen traffic deaths are preventable,” said Arrive Alive coordinator Tia Bigus with the Platte County Health Department. “This urgent public health issue requires community-wide action to protect Missouri’s youth.”
A new AAA analysis of federal crash data suggests Platte County High School’s driver education efforts are having an impact when it comes to crashes involving young drivers. From 2015 to 2024, Platte County’s per capita rate of traffic fatalities in crashes involving teen drivers was approximately 34% lower than Missouri’s statewide average (see Table 1). Teen-specific outcomes show similar trends, with the rate of teen fatalities in those crashes about 39% lower, and the rate of teen driver deaths approximately 46% lower than the state overall.
“These statistics really reinforce what we at AAA already know – driver education saves lives,” said Williams. “We hope to see more Missouri school districts invest in driver education for not only the good of their students, but for the safety of everyone on the road.”
The vehicle, a 2018 Buick Encore, was donated by AAA and refurbished with parts and labor courtesy of Blue Springs Ford Collision Repair in Blue Springs, Missouri. In addition to the vehicle presentation, Platte County High School students participated in an Arrive Alive event, including a mock crash demonstration featuring local first responders to reinforce the importance of safe driving.