Regional Teen Safety Initiatives

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. Check out what's happening in your state to improve teen safety:

> Connecticut - Connecticut-based parents whose teenage children died in automobile accidents have joined with medical professionals and the Connecticut DMV to enlist pediatricians and family physicians around the state in a unique accident-prevention education program for teenagers and their parents.

> Florida - Dori Slosberg Driver Education Safety Act funds driver education.

> Georgia - All Georgia public high schools are eligible to apply for Joshua's Law funds for driver education. To hear from the Joshua Brown Foundation Chairman click on the image below.

> Illinois – Jesse White, Secretary of State is dedicated to reducing teen fatalities due to car crashes. In fact, Illinois’ graduated driver license program has been named, “The best in the country,” by Advocates for Auto and Safety.

> Michigan – Thanks to Takata, many Michigan-based teens have access to VDI’s virtual trainers.

> Missouri – Missouri currently has several bills on the table that involve banning or limiting cell phone use while driving.

> New Jersey - Governor Corzine signs Kyleigh's Law.

> New York - Driver Education Advisory Panel recently submitted driver education recommendations to Governor Patterson.

> New York - In an effort to decrease the number of auto-related teen deaths in New York, Senator Schumer introduces a plan to increase the availability and quality of driver education targeted at young people.

> Pennsylvania – Last year two Pennsylvania schools piloted the Children's Hospital of Philadephia's RLAF (Ride Like a Friend/Drive Like you Care) initiative, a peer-to-peer safety awareness campaign. All schools are welcome to join the RLAF network to learn more about the program and to access support materials for use in your community.

> Texas – Now in over 300 Texas-based high schools, Teens in the Driver Seat is the county's first peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers and is available at no cost to schools and youth groups in Texas.

> Texas – Less Tears More Years Act signed by Governor Perry June 19. New driver education laws go into effect September 1, 2009.

> Utah – Utah’s Teen Driving Task Force diligently at work promoting their "Don't Drive Stupid" message aimed solely at teens.

> Virginia – Partners for Safe Teen Driving is a community health initiative aimed at reducing the incidences of teenage automobile crashes, injuries and fatalities in Virginia by assisting school divisions and communities develop and implement local Partners for Safe Teen Driving programs.

> Nationwide – The UPS Foundation, in collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, uses VDI’s virtual trainers as an integral part of its successful teen driving program.