The Teen Task Force

Keeping yourselves and other safe…
                                               
Now it’s time to spread the word and get others involved. Take the initiative and start an ART of Driving Teen Task Force at your school or youth group. The following information will assist teens, parents, teachers, and youth leaders to ignite the spark and watch as an entire community “catches” the enthusiasm to do something about this national health crisis. 

There are programs to address alcohol and drug abuse, violence and intolerance in our schools and youth groups, why not programs to address the issue that is the leading cause of teen deaths? If a disease was claiming 6,000 young lives a year, we would have federal funding and walks for the cure. Sadly, that has not been the case for teen driving.

Be proactive; take action now to prevent the heartache that accompanies such a senseless tragedy. When a teen's life is lost in a car crash so many people suffer. Remember the “ripple effect”; not only family and friends, but an entire community grieves. How many times have we watched this happen; how many more times will we witness the grief counselors mobilized, memorials set up, and candlelight vigils. These are all necessary to the grieving process and people want to feel that they are doing “something”.  There is something that can be done…and it can have a lasting impact.

The ART of Driving believes something needs to be done NOW and it can start with YOU! 

Where to start…

Think “baby steps”, it won’t happen over night.  Find a few teens with the passion to make a difference. Maybe there is a teacher, parent, or church youth group leader that would work with you and serve in a leadership role…remember, it only takes one spark. Introduce The ART of Driving program to your school or community group, tell them about it and your desire to make a difference in keeping teens safe. If you have drivers’ education at your school perhaps one of the instructors would be a sponsor…maybe the programs concepts and information could be incorporated into class curriculum.

It only takes one person telling another person to get the enthusiasm going; one student, one teacher, one parent at a time. Once you have a few people who share in the mission, form a group to brainstorm the best ways to implement the ideas in The ART of Driving program.  Remember, any school or youth group can initiate an ART of Driving Program…there really is an ART to doing anything well! A church group, a scout troop, or a sports league can come together to make a difference and save lives.

Never underestimate the dangers or overestimate your abilities…

Get involved and start The ART of Driving program at your school or youth group.  It’s simple and below are a few ideas to get you started. 

• Read through The ART of Driving web site and become familiar with the statistics and Ashley’s story. Share with others how often teens are killed; the numbers speak for themselves. With the added personal story, you can help others see how easily this can happen.

• Help dispel the “it won’t happen to me” myth by making a chain of 3,000 links...display the chain in the cafeteria or down the halls of the school. After a week, hold an assembly where your group speaks about the issues and breaks the chain, symbolizing your commitment to stopping this epidemic.

• Get your school newspaper to do a story about the teen driving crisis and your involvement with The ART of Driving.

• Prior to a big game or dance hand out fliers reminding everyone to “Survive The Five”.

• Hang a banner or poster boards listing all the risks that teen drivers face…encourage friends to start a “buddy system” where they help each other minimize those risks.

• Invite one of the driving instructors with the local police department to speak to your group about vehicle dynamics. They would be happy to share their experience with you.

• Hold a Teen/Parent Contract campaign; encouraging all teens to have a written driving contract with their parents.

• Ask the PTSA if you could do a presentation at a meeting. Invite parents to be involved and let them know you want their assistance.

• Start a “buzz” about the dangers of cell phones and texting while driving. Make it a totally unacceptable thing to do!

• Spread the word about the importance of more time behind the wheel. Make “not rushing it” okay! There are some teens who do not want to drive, at least not yet, respect that decision; no need to give them a hard time or put pressure on them.

The ART of Driving is here to help you.  Email us or request that we come and speak to your PTSA, Teen Night, Driver's, Ed Class, SGA, or other interested group.

• Help educate peers and adults about the GDL laws for your state.

• Have a “Hold Your Keys” day to increase awareness about the risk of borrowing someone else’s car.

• Hold an awareness campaign about the risk of “drowsy driving”. Most teens do not see this as a major risk factor. Take a survey of how many hours of sleep teen drivers in your school or group are actually getting.

• Make a video showing the risk of driving when experiencing extreme emotional highs/lows. For example, a teen jumping into his/her car and “speeding off” after having a fight with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend.  Have you ever seen a group of teens get into a car after winning the “big game”?

• You could easily come up with monthly meeting and awareness topics. In January, discuss driving in severe weather conditions such as ice and snow. Come up with a list of tips to share. In April, go all out reminding teens to “Survive The 5” after prom! You get the idea…the possibilities are endless. If you want help or more ideas send us an email!  Better yet, ask us to come speak to your group!

• Meet and discuss the issue of peer pressure. Make it “totally unacceptable” to pressure someone into doing something unsafe. This is an important issue…get everyone talking about it! 50% of teens say they wouldn’t speak up if a friend was driving recklessly…what’s up with that?

• Using Ashley’s story and comments from her friends, hold a discussion panel on the ripple effect of losing a friend in a car crash. Discuss the life long effects that others suffer.

These ideas are to help get you started.  It won’t be hard to come up with ideas for meetings and awareness programs that you feel will be beneficial for YOU. 

Remember Ashley’s words…”the greatest revenge is to accomplish what others’ say you cannot do”…teens can make a difference.