Car crashes is the #1 killer of teens in America, and for every American teen killed in a car crash, about 100 more are injured.
You are the solution!
Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in America – and it
Car crashes is the #1 killer of teens in America, and for every American teen killed in a car crash, about 100 more are injured.
You are the solution!
Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in America – and it’s not just the teens who are driving. You are also at a very high risk each time you get into a vehicle, but there are things you should know and things you can do to protect yourself. But, don’t stop with knowing the facts and keeping yourself safe – tell your friends too! That is what Teens in the Driver Seat Junior High is all about. We help you learn the facts, and you help spread the message in your family, your school, and your community, because the more we know and act, the safer we will all be!
- Every day in the U.S. there is at least one passenger from the ages of 8 to 12 that dies in a car crash.
- Half of all young passengers who died in crashes were not buckled up.
- Studies show that junior high teens are almost 2X more likely to wear seat belts when adults in the car are also wearing them.
- Safety experts recommend that teens under the age of 13 always ride in the back seat.
- Research show that children involved in car crashes are 28% more likely to be injured in a front seat than if they had been sitting in the back.
- The front seat presents two dangers to junior high teens:
- They can be badly hurt or killed if they are too close when the airbag deploys.
- They are more likely to be hurt in a crash, because most wrecks involve the front end of the vehicle.
- Teen drivers significantly impact young passengers:
- Teen drivers are 2X more likely to have children in the front seat than adult drivers.
- Novice teen drivers are 3X more likely to have unrestrained child passengers than adult drivers.
- Young teens riding with drivers ages 16 to 19 are 3X more likely to die in a crash than if riding with a driver age 20 and older.
The program is available to junior high schools in Texas and Georgia, at no cost. We give you the science, guidance, and project resources to implement a successful program, the rest is up to you to create and sustain an awesome program at your school.
- You can help reduce the risk of injury and death among your friends when you speak up
- You have a voice and your friends listen to you
- You can learn life skills of effective communication and leadership
- You can connect to friends, your school, and your community
- Peer helpers have more credibility and a better understanding of teen concerns and pressures
- You can learn to be an effective role model
How you get started
Step 1) Pick the team:
- Pick your Teens in the Driver Seat® team. There should be 10 to 12 leaders, which will be your Teens in the Driver Seat® team. They will be responsible for spreading the safety messages and coordinating and holding activities. The team leaders can be an existing school group, such as Student Council, or form a new group. Anyone can be a part of Teens in the Driver Seat® and it’s a great community service project.
- Find a teacher and/or school leader who wants to sponsor the Teens in the Driver Seat® program. The sponsor serves as faculty support, keeps in contact with us, collects and returns safe driving questionnaires once a year, and will be our main contact. They can also help you get started.
- Contact Us when you have your team and sponsor and are ready to start your program. 