Vermont Drinking Driver Rehabilitation Program

Vermont Department of Health
Project CRASH

108 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070

OR

Vermont Department of Health
Drawer 27c
108 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070

Office Phone: (802) 651-1574
(If calling from within Vermont call toll free
1- 800-464-4343 and ask to be transferred)
Fax: (802) 651-1573
Phone Hours: Noon-4:00 pm
Office Hours: 7:45 am - 4:30 pm

NOTE: Due to privacy issues, Project CRASH cannot correspond via E-Mail. Please use the phone numbers and addresses above for all correspondence. Thank you.

ADAP - Notice of Privacy Practices

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 92.3% of students rated the CRASH program as good or excellent, 97.4% of students rated their instructor as good or excellent, and 89.2% 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.

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.

In Vermont

Safetybelts Save Lives! - 60% of people who die on Vermont highways are not wearing their seatbeat.

  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%

(Governor's Highway Safety Program - 2008 Statistics)

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Vermont's Drinking Driver Rehabilitation Program (Project Crash)

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.

How To Begin the CRASH Program

The CRASH Program begins with an Intake Evaluation session. Individuals that are considered first or second offenders will be referred to the CRASH Educational School, this includes individuals who are court/probation ordered for other types of alcohol related offenses. Individuals that are considered third, or more than third, offenders will be given information on the required treatment.

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. In this case, the Intake Evaluation is part of the program. (Individuals with a LIFE suspension for DWI are not required to complete the CRASH Educational School, but must register with the agency in their area to begin their treatment program.)

The Project CRASH Intake Evaluations are held at the following locations. For dates, times, and further information on the Intake Evaluation, please call the facility in your area.

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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

If you live in a state other than Vermont, please contact Project CRASH at 802-651-1574 for information on the programs that are available to you in your state.

The Project CRASH Educational School (CRASH 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:

There will be a fee for the CRASH Educational School.

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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 for DWI 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.

Participants in the program are required to remain at the facility for the entire weekend. This program is offered at the following locations:

Select the appropriate link above for enrollment information.

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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.

For more information on Project CRASH, contact us

Vermont Department of Health
Project CRASH

108 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070

OR

Vermont Department of Health
Drawer 27c
108 Cherry Street
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070

Office Phone: (802) 651-1574
Fax: (802) 651-1573

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