Partnership focuses on local teen driving programs and educational resources for teens and their parents
Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 17-23), Safe Kids Worldwide and Impact Teen Drivers (ITD) announced today a new partnership dedicated to addressing the number one killer of teens—car crashes, particularly those caused by reckless and distracted driving. The partnership will allow Safe Kids coalitions and their partners to utilize ITD’s evidence-based curriculum to create and implement teen driver safety education programs for teens and their parents in communities across the country.
On average, every year in the U.S., car crashes claim the lives of more than 1,800 teens between the ages of 16 and 19. In nearly two-thirds of those crashes (64 percent), the teen is driving. These tragedies often involve teen drivers engaging in risky behavior on the road. In fact, 9 percent of teens killed while driving are distracted at the time of the crash, 37 percent are speeding, and 42 percent are not wearing a seatbelt.[1]
“Given the staggering number of injuries and deaths for teen drivers, we all must do more to stop these preventable tragedies,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “Our partnership with Impact Teen Drivers will allow our coalitions to engage and educate more teens and their parents with proven resources that will prevent injuries and save lives.”
“This collaboration will positively impact countless families, schools, and communities,” said Dr. Kelly Browning, executive director for Impact Teen Drivers. “We look forward to working with Safe Kids to save lives and reduce injuries caused by preventable car crashes. Our evidence-based curricula will empower Safe Kids coalition coordinators and their partners to reach teens and parents about Graduated Driver Licensing laws, reckless and distracted driving, and other teen driving issues.”
Safe Kids coalitions in targeted cities will be awarded Teen Safe Driving Grants. The grants will be used to help coalitions build local teen safe driving programs and distribute ITD’s materials in local communities. In addition, ITD will soon be launching the Under Your Influence webpage, tailored for parents with new or soon-to-be teen drivers. The webpage will include podcasts, informational videos, and tips and strategies to keep kids safe behind the wheel and as passengers. Finally, Safe Kids and ITD will collaborate on communication efforts to raise awareness and promote teen driver safety messaging throughout the year.
[1] Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
About Impact Teen Drivers
Since 2007, ITD has been a leading traffic safety education nonprofit whose mission is to develop, promote, and facilitate evidence-based education and strategies to save lives and reduce preventable injuries and fatalities caused by reckless and distracted driving. With a focus on engaging teens and their influencers, ITD’s programs and resources engage, educate, and empower individuals to make better choices behind the wheel—as a driver or passenger. ITD’s vision is to create a widespread culture shift among teens and their influencers where reckless and distracted driving are recognized as unacceptable behaviors and outside of the social norm. For more information about Impact Teen Drivers or to schedule an evidence-based school program, visit https://www.impactteendrivers.org.
About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to protect kids from preventable injuries, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. The Safe Kids Buckle Up program, supported by General Motors, has protected millions of children through car seat check-up events and inspection stations and additional efforts to reach vulnerable populations. It also included Countdown 2 Drive, a free program for parents and their teens ages 13-15, that helps parents set clear expectations for their teens about safety behaviors, whether the teen is driving or riding as a passenger. Join our effort at safekids.org.