Every year thousands of teens in the United States die from automobile crashes and even more suffer life life threatening injuries. This is a widespread problem that requires a combination of national and local actions. Working on the community level, National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving builds alliances with businesses, government, law enforcement, schools, parents and teens to prevent these tragedies. We create a culture of safety that enables teens to positively influence their peers and others to solve this problem.
So Let's do This is a trademarked initiative of National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving
So Let's do This ... why?
If one voice can make a change, consider what a million voices could do
Consider some of the facts:
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38,824 people died on U.S. Roads in 2020 and 7,709 pedestrians and pedalcyclists were killed
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Car crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for teens. In 2020 6.634 teens betweeen the ages of 15-20 were killed as a result of a crash. Fatal crashes involving young drivers 15 to 20 years old increased by 14 percent from 3,863 in 2019 to 4,405.
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Contrary to popular belief, teens crash most often because they are inexperienced.
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As people age, their ability to safely drive a car may be compromised by a variety of functional impairments. In 2020, 6,549 people 65 and older were killed in traffic crashes, a 9.8% decrease from the prior year.
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In 2020, 10,893 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in crashes were unrestrained (not wearing a seat belt) and increase of 14% from the prior year
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An estimated 46% of car and booster seats (59% of car seats and 20% of booster seats) are incorrectly installed or misused
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One CDC study found that, in one year, more than 618,000 children ages 0-12 rode in vehicles without the use of a child safety seat or booster seat or a seat belt
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The fatality rate in rural areas is consistently higher than fatality rates in urban areas
*Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020, FARS 2011 and 2019 Final File, 2020 ARF
So, we know the facts. We also know how a majority of these tragic deaths could have been avoided. It would be easy to assume that everyone else does, but we simply cannot. That's why we're launching this important initiative that can help save lives.
How important is this? Consider for example seat belt usage. Seat belts have been proven to save lives every day. They can only save lives, however, if they’re used properly. True, for a majority of drivers, buckling up has become second nature. Yet there are still many people in America who don’t buckle up. Most vehicles have front seat warning indicators that serve as a reminder. But what about the passengers in the back?
Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of a fatal injury by 45%. This is why your community needs to know that wearing a seat belt can make the difference between life and death.
With your help, we can make a difference
Help Us Raise Awareness
Why is this important?
Before you can respond to a problem, you need to understand the breadth of the need, the factors that lead to crashes and and the proven methods that mitigate the crashes, the ensuing injuries and fatalities.
How will we do this?
We will lead targeted nation-wide awareness campaigns focused on different areas of traffic safety, each with an actionable call to action.We will create campaign messages and calls to action, prepare all campaign materials and talking points, manage each campaign and nation-wide distribution, and provide you with instruction and guidance.
What are we asking you to do?
Help us spread the word and raise awareness by integrating prepared safety messages into your marketing and customer communications. That all we’re asking you to do. Help us raise awareness.
When will it happen?
Each message will be tied to critical times of the year.
With Actionable Calls to Action
What is an "actionable" call to action?
Just knowing about the problem won't solve it. Solutions require action. The call to action is the key element of the awareness campaign. Each message will have a next step - call to action - to demonstrate the commitment for change. We call it, show me, don't tell me.
Responding to the call to action demonstrates a personal commitment to do something - the action - that will help achieve the intended goal. The instruction is concise, delivered with an imperative mood, and states a clear benefit if done.
There can also be multiple calls to action a supporter can take to help effect change, most requiring just a personal commitment for change. Here are some examples:
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Take a 30 day pledge to ...
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Tell a friend ...
- Share this with ...
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Social media shares and page likes
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Attend or participate in a sponsored activity
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and more
Prevention and Safety
Legal and Professional
Youth Serving Organizations
Auto and Industry Partners
