SALEM — Virginia schools have kicked off a statewide teen safety project to develop driver and passenger safety behaviors among youth and teens.
The peer-to-peer project, “Arrive Alive — It’s a Whole Vibe,” focuses on the increased risk of teen driver crashes during the spring and summer months and during prom and graduation.
Forty-one high schools, middle schools, and youth groups are already registered to participate in Arrive Alive, which is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety and the Virginia State Police. Local schools and organizations involved in the program include Bruton and Tabb high schools and York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement in York County, as well as Buckle Up Butter Cup Driver Training School in James City County.
According to the organization, statistics show more teen drivers in Virginia will be involved in traffic crashes between May and August than at any other time of the year.
Preliminary data from the Virginia DMV shows speed continues to be a major risk factor in teen driver-related fatal crashes, the organization adds. Additionally, teens, along with many Virginians, still aren’t buckling up.
Participating schools and youth groups will take part in the project from March through May, completing activities that educate and remind teens to buckle up, drive safely, and to celebrate prom, graduation, and other events without drugs and alcohol, YOVASO said. Middle school students will focus their messaging on being a safe passenger, bicyclist, and pedestrian.
There are two options for participating: noncompeting and competing. Schools and youth groups that elect to compete will be required to complete pre- and post-seat belt checks to measure the project’s impact and a variety of other activities to promote safe and responsible driving. Middle schools can compete in one or more of three middle school topics.
Non-competing schools may register to receive materials and complete any activities of their choice.
“We encourage all schools, youth groups, parents, and teens to join the free Arrive Alive project and help keep our youth safe during these upcoming high-risk months,” said Mary King, YOVASO program manager. “No teen wants to ruin a fun vibe, whether it be a party, a day at the lake, or a night out with close friends, by experiencing a crash. Through Arrive Alive, we can all work together as parents, schools and communities to do our part in making sure our teens buckle up, drive the speed limit, put away distractions, and avoid alcohol and drugs every time they get in a motor vehicle.”
Arrive Alive is funded by a grant from the Virginia DMV. In addition, grants from State Farm support educational incentives and materials. State Farm provides annual grants to YOVASO to fund youth traffic safety programs with a shared focus on keeping young drivers and passengers safe on the roadways, the organization said.
Each school and youth group that competes in Arrive Alive will submit their project entry at the conclusion of the project to be evaluated based on activities completed, the effectiveness and creativity of its creative traffic safety project, the percentage of students reached, and the percentage increase in the school’s seat belt usage rate by the end of the project.
Prizes funded by State Farm will be awarded to the top school or youth group in the high school and middle school divisions. The winning high school will receive $500, and the winning middle school will receive $300. Five statewide finalists in the high school division and three statewide finalists in the middle school division will receive $100 each.
For more information or to register your school or youth group for the Arrive Alive project or to request parent resources, visit the project page. For a list of tips to help keep teen drivers safe during the high-risk warm weather months, click here
