Vermont's
Drinking Driver Rehabilitation Program
(Project CRASH)
For CRASH Information
If you need to register for CRASH classes, click HERE. Otherwise, call (802) 651-1574, Monday through Thursday between 11:00 AM and 12:00 Noon.
When an individual's privilege to drive is suspended due to an alcohol related offense, they are required to successfully complete the CRASH Program. Individuals who have subsequent alcohol related offenses are required to enroll in the CRASH Program within 30 days of his/her suspension. If the individual does not enroll within 30 days, and remain enrolled until completion, a non-compliance hearing will be scheduled with the court.
The CRASH Program has been designed to provide information to help the individual understand clearly how alcohol, and other drugs, affect behavior and driving skills so that an individual can prevent trouble in the future.
In Vermont, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. A motor vehicle may be any type of motorized vehicle, including, but not limited to, snowmobiles, motor boats, and all terrain vehicles.
If an individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher and they are driving a motor vehicle, the individual may be charged with a DWI. In certain circumstances, an individual may be charged with a DWI with a BAC of less than .08%.
If an individual under the age of 21 has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02% or higher and they are driving a motor vehicle, their privilege to drive may be suspended and/or they may be charged with a DWI.
How To Begin the CRASH Process
Governor's Highway Safety Program Statistics
How To Begin the CRASH Program
The CRASH Program begins with an Intake Evaluation session. The Project CRASH Evaluator will notify the individual of what further requirements will need to be met in order to successfully complete the CRASH Program. There will be a fee for the Intake Evaluation.
NOTE: Individuals with a first or second offense may choose to participate in the Weekend Program. Individuals with a LIFE suspension are not eligible to participate in the weekend program; however, they are required to register and complete the Project CRASH Educational School Program located in their area.
The Project CRASH Programs are held at the following locations. Please call the facility in your area.
| Region | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bellows Falls | Parks Place | (802) 257-1147 |
| Bennington | United Counseling Service | (802) 442-5491 |
| Brattleboro | Phoenix House of NE, Inc. | (802) 257-1147 |
| Burlington | HowardCenter | (802) 488-6150 |
| Hartford | Health Care & Rehabilitation Services | (802-886-4500 |
| Middlebury | Counseling Service of Addison County | (802) 388-6751 |
| Montpelier | Central Vermont Substance Abuse Services | (802) 223-4156 |
| Morrisville | Behavioral Medicine | (802) 888-8320 |
| Newport | Northeast Kingdom Human Services | (802) 334-5246 |
| Rutland | Rutland Mental Health | (802) 747-3588 |
| St. Albans | HowardCenter | (802) 488-6274 |
| St. Johnsbury | Northeast Kingdom Human Services | (802) 748-1682 |
| Springfield | Health Care & Rehabilitation Services | (802) 886-4500 |
| Wilmington/Dover | Phoenix House of NE, Inc. | (802) 257-1147 |
Project CRASH Programs
The Project CRASH Educational School
Through lecture, reading materials, videos, and small group discussions, the individual has the opportunity, along with others, to openly examine facts about alcohol and discuss the role alcohol plays in their life.
The objectives of the CRASH Education School are:
- To inform the individual of the extent and seriousness of alcohol impairment and some of the consequences of being under the influence.
- To provide the individual the opportunity to examine his/her own drinking and driving behavior.
- To evaluate the individual's relationship to alcohol and other drugs.
- To inform the individual of the resources available to assist him/her in changing his/her behavior.
There will be a fee for the CRASH Educational School.
Weekday (evening) CRASH School
The Evening CRASH Education School is held for four 2-1/2 hour classes. No unexcused absences or tardiness is allowed. The individual must participate in small group discussions, complete homework assignments, demonstrate knowledge of the information presented, and attend an exit interview.
For individuals who are considered first offenders, or who are court ordered to attend the program, the exit interview will determine if alcohol therapy is necessary. For individuals who are considered second offenders, successful completion of treatment will be required.
Weekend Residential CRASH School
The weekend residential CRASH program is available to individuals who have an offense that is considered a first or second offense. Individuals with a LIFE suspension are not eligible for participation in the weekend program.
The weekend program includes the CRASH intake evaluation, the CRASH Educational program, and the determination of whether or not further therapy is necessary. The program begins on Friday evening, continues all day Saturday, and ends on Sunday afternoon.
This program is offered at the following locations:
Select the appropriate link above for enrollment information.
Recent evaluation results indicate that CRASH School participants give the program high marks!
The study was done by The Change Companies, our partner in the development of an evidence based curriculum for the schools. The results are based on anonymous student course evaluations. The aggregate data shows 85% of respondents rated the CRASH program as good or excellent, 95% of respondents rated their instructor as good or excellent, and 88% of respondents indicated that the CRASH program helped them make a positive change in their high-risk alcohol or other drug use. Download the full report here.
Treatment
If treatment is required, the individual must successfully complete a treatment program with a Licensed or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. The Project CRASH Evaluator will explain the process and requirements to the individual at the Intake Evaluation.
Successful completion of a treatment program is determined by the counselor, the Project CRASH Evaluator, and by the Project CRASH Director or his/her designee. The fee for therapy will be determined between the individual and the counselor of his/her choice.
License Reinstatement
An individual must successfully complete the Project CRASH Program before his/her privilege to drive may be reinstated. An individual may have other requirements or suspensions that need to be satisfied before their privilege to drive may be reinstated. In these instances, the individual will need to contact the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles at 802-828-2050.
Statistics
Governor's Highway Safety Program - 2008 Statistics
| 1995-1997 Average |
2003-2005 Average |
Percent Change |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol-related Highway Deaths | 37.33 | 29.00 | -23.31% |
| Young Adult (15-20) Alcohol-related Deaths | 9.00 | 7.67 | -14.78% |
| DUI Arrests | 3,845 | 4,199 | +9.0% |
| People in Treatment (CRASH & DOC) |
1,060 | 3,214 | +203% |
Safetybelts Save Lives! - 60% of people who die on Vermont highways are not wearing their seatbeat.
For additional information on Project CRASH:
Vermont Department of Health
Project CRASH
108 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 70, Drawer 27c
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070
Office Phone: (802) 651-1574
(Toll free within Vermont: 1-800-464-4343 and ask to be transferred)
Fax: (802) 651-1573
Phone Hours: 11:00 am - 12:00 Noon, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Office Hours: 7:45 am - 4:30 pm
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules, Project CRASH cannot correspond via E-Mail. Please use the phone numbers and/or address listed above for all correspondence. Thank you.