SALEM — More teen drivers in Virginia will be involved in traffic crashes between the months of May and August than at any other time of the year, statistics show.
This is according to Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), the commonwealth’s peer-to-peer education and leadership program for young driver and passenger safety.
To help save lives and prevent crashes during the high-risk warm weather months, Virginia schools are kicking off a statewide teen safety campaign this week to develop driver and passenger safety behaviors among youth and teens.
The peer-to-peer campaign, Arrive Alive — It’s a Whole Vibe, focuses on the increased risk of teen driver crashes during the spring and summer months and prom and graduation, according to YOVASO.
Citing Virginia Department of Transportation data for 2023, 6,186 crashes involved a teen driver during the spring/summer months from May through August.
Additionally, 12 teens aged 15-19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, 1,620 were injured, and 191 were seriously injured in crashes between May and August.
Forty-seven high schools, middle schools, and youth groups are participating in Arrive Alive, which is sponsored by YOVASO and the Virginia State Police.
Participating schools and youth groups will take part from March through May by completing activities that educate and remind teens to buckle up, drive safely, and to celebrate prom, graduation, and other fun 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: non-competing and competing. YOVASO explains that schools and youth groups that elect to compete are required to complete pre- and post-seat belt checks to measure the campaign’s impact, a creative project that reaches a majority of the students at their school or in their youth group, and a variety of other activities to promote safe and responsible driving; or for middle schools, one or more of the 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 campaign 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, according to YOVASO.
“At State Farm, we want to keep drivers and passengers safe on the roadways,” said State Farm spokesperson Dwayne Redd. “This campaign is a creative reminder to young drivers to always make good choices, slow down, and buckle up. With these actions, the number of accidents, serious injuries and deaths will be reduced.”
Each school and youth group that competes in Arrive Alive will submit their campaign entry at the conclusion of the campaign 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 campaign, YOVASO said.
For more information or to register your school or youth group for the Arrive Alive campaign or to request parent resources, contact Casey Taylor, Program Development Coordinator at 540-739-4392 or visit the campaign page.
For a list of tips to help keep teen drivers safe during the high-risk warm weather months click here.
