1. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel!
   

   Driver distraction is reaching epidemic proportions in drivers of all ages, but especially in young, inexperienced drivers. Consider all the things in a vehicle that can occupy a driver's attention: cell phones, radios and CD players, sophisticated vehicle controls, fast food and other drive-through conveniences, laptop computers and onboard navigation devices, as well as passengers, children, and pets.

   In today's communities, more people spend more time in vehicles and on the road. Thus, they often try to maximize driving time by combining it with other activities, often with tragic consequences. Driving is not a multi-functional task. It requires the driver's full attention.

2. Set or adjust the controls on the vehicle and other devices as soon as you get in the car.
   

   Fasten your safety belt and adjust your mirrors, the radio or CD player, and the climate control settings. Make sure everyone else in your vehicle is buckled up and that all objects are securely stowed.
   
   

3. Keep your body alert.
   

   Sit straight, but relaxed. Place your left hand between the 7 and 9 o'clock positions on the steering wheel and your right hand between the 3 and 5 o'clock positions on the wheel. Hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs. Avoid gripping it tightly because your palms are not as sensitive as your fingers. Look in the direction that you want to go.
   

4. Drivers ages 15, 16, and 17 are prohibited from talking, sending text messages, or snapping photos with a phone while driving on Virginia roads.
   
   The ban also applies to hands-free devices. However, teens are allowed to use a phone during an emergency, such as if someone thinks he or she is being followed.

5. Anticipate the traffic and the environment around you.
   
   • Maintain space around your car. Use the three second rule to keep space between you and the vehicle ahead. Don't cut in front of other vehicles.
   • Don't drive parallel with another vehicle. If something blocks your path ahead, you'll need the room on either side of your vehicle to escape the obstacle in front of you.
   • If someone tailgates you, move into another lane and let the tailgater pass. Or, pull off the road so the person can pass.
   • Avoid speeding up or slowing down.
   • As you drive, look four or five vehicles ahead. This helps you anticipate stops, slowdowns, curves or other changes in the traffic or roadway.
   • Check your rearview mirrors approximately every ten seconds. This helps you anticipate hazards approaching from behind.

6. Know the type of braking system that your vehicle uses.
   
   
   • If your vehicle uses an anti-locking braking system (ABS), keep your foot firmly on the pedal if you stop suddenly. Do not pump the brakes in an emergency situation. This will provide false information to your braking system, preventing it from operating correctly.
   • If your vehicle is not equipped with anti-lock brakes, press the brake pedal firmly, just short of locking the wheels. If your wheels lock, indicating a skid, let up slightly on the brake pressure. Then, reapply pressure to the brake. Continue this squeezing action until the vehicle stops.

7. In bad weather, reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
   

   Slow down in bad weather or other poor driving conditions, such as rain, fog, snow, ice, and heavy traffic. If you are uncomfortable with the speed limit, for whatever reason, slow down.

8. Drive the speed limit.
   

   Speeding will not get you to your destination faster. Speed influences a crash in four ways:
   
   

   • It increases the distance your vehicle travels from the time you recognize an emergency until you can react.
   • It increases the distance it takes to stop your vehicle. The faster you go, the more distance it takes to stop your vehicle.
   • Crash severity increases incrementally with speed. For example, if your speed increases from 40 to 60 miles an hour, your speed increases 50 percent while the energy released in a crash more than doubles.
   • Higher speeds reduce the ability of vehicles, safety belts, air bags, guardrails, and barriers to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.

9. Avoid sudden moves or over-correction.
   

   A sudden response or over-correction, such as jerking the steering wheel to the right or left, or slamming on the brakes can cause the vehicle to skid, swerve into oncoming traffic, or veer off the roadway. You can avoid sudden surprises that lead to reactive moves by watching the traffic and roadway ahead, behind, and around you.

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Parent/Teen Driving Agreement CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT FORM

1. Fuel: Parent $_______ Teen $_______
   
   
2. Maintenance: Parent $______ Teen $______
   
   
3. Taxes and Registration: Parent $______ Teen $______
   
   
4. Insurance: Parent $______ Teen $______
   

Maintenance responsibilities (indicate who has the responsibility for each item below)

1. Checking vehicle fluids: Parent ______ Teen ______
   
   
2. Checking tire pressure: Parent ______ Teen ______
   
   
3. Cleaning vehicle interior: Parent ______ Teen ______
   
   
4. Cleaning vehicle exterior: Parent ______ Teen ______
   
   
5. Cleaning vehicle windows: Parent ______ Teen ______

As a beginning driver, I agree to:

1. Wear my safety belt when driving a motor vehicle and require those in a vehicle I am operating to wear their seat belts.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
2. Do well in school academically and behaviorally.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
3. Obey traffic laws and drive safely at all times.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
4. Agree not to drink and drive.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
5. Comply with my curfew.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
6. Comply with passenger restrictions.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
7. Provide my parents/guardians with my destination and time of return.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
8. Not allow others to drive my vehicle.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
9. Call if I will be late.
   If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
   
   
10. Behave responsibly and be a courteous driver.
    If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
    

As the Parent I agree to:

1. Be patient.
2. Teach proper driving techniques.
3. Provide a safe and reliable motor vehicle for my child.
4. Make sure my child drives in accordance with the laws of the road and the vehicle laws of Virginia.
5. Not allow my child to drive when he/she is physically, mentally, or otherwise not able to drive safely.
6. Teach my child to be a courteous driver.
   

Signature of Beginner Driver: _______________

Signature of Parent: _______________

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Seatbelt Survey

Project Ideas Presented by Youth of Virginia Speak Out

Instructions:

• Talk with your administration first about what you would like to do.
  
• Pick a date that will be a normal school day with an average amount of traffic (for example, not an early release day).
  
• Choose a time that will be best for average survey results.
• Make sure the location you choose is where the majority of the cars will be coming or leaving. Also make sure your volunteers have a safe place to stand.
• Round up some volunteers.
• Get a copy of the YOVASO Seatbelt Survey Formand be sure to record your results.
• To add an awareness aspect you can make posters and hold them up during the survey.

Suggestions:

• If the survey is part of an awareness week, do a survey at the beginning of the week and then another at the end. During the week encourage students to buckle up.
  
• Solicit businesses to offer a prize, such as a car stereo. Each day give out a certain number of raffle tickets to every car with everyone in the car buckled up properly. At the end of the week, draw the winning ticket for a grand prize. (The prize can easily be donated to your school from most any store.)

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Prom Activity Guide:

Use this guide to help you and your school keep prom the safe and special night that it is!

Prom Pledge

Materials Needed:

• A banner
• Markers
• Small pieces of paper
• A table
• Students

Setting Needed: You will need to have a place in the school to hang the banner and to place a table for students to sign the pledge cards.

Project Description: A pledge is designed so students can promise to drive safely and responsibly throughout the year and especially during the prom season. (As with any project, the pledge can be set up any a number of different ways.)

• Start by announcing the pledge over the school announcements to let everyone know what you are doing. Make sure to explain what the students will be promising when they are signing the pledge.
• Hang the banner with the pledge on it in a place where most students will pass by and have students sign it.
• During lunches (or anytime that is approved by administration) have a table set up under the banner with small pieces of paper for students who sign the pledge to write their names on. These names can then be put into a raffle for prizes!

At the end of the week on the announcements, read all the names of the students who pledged to drive safely and responsibly during prom and for the rest of the year!

Deck the Halls

Materials Needed:

• Poster board
• Markers or paint

Setting Needed: For this project, try to use every wall in your school.

Project Description: "Deck the Halls" is an attempt to splatter the halls of your school with nothing but traffic safety messages during the prom season. (This project may take two days but can be done in one.)

• First announce your project to the whole school so you can have a lot of students ready to help out.
• Before starting the project, make sure to talk with the school administration to find out what messages will and will not be appropriate to use.
• Plan a day to meet before or after school to make the posters (If snacks are provided, there will be a better turn out!!!)
• Make posters until you can't make them anymore. (Make sure the messages make sense,)
• It may be beneficial to let the administration look over the posters after they are made too.
• Invite the group back the next morning or afternoon to "Deck the Halls"!!!
• Remember: there may be a school rule that says all poster must be taken down after a certain time period, so plan accordingly.

Limo Ride

Materials Needed:

• A limousine
• Paper
• Volunteers

Setting Needed: For the contest you might want to set up a table during lunches.

Project Description: A contest for a free limousine for prom will be held. All students who pledge to not drink and drive and to always wear a seatbelt will be entered in the contest.

• Ask permission from the school administration to hold the contest.
• Call local limousine companies and tell them about your organization and ask if they would be willing to donate one round-trip limousine ride for your school's prom night.
• Advertise the contest a week before prom and draw the winner on Friday.
• Announce the winner on the announcements Friday during school and make sure to explain the pledge the person signed in order to win.
• Be sure to thank the limo company for participating!

Merchant Discount

Materials Needed:

• Fliers
• Volunteers

Setting Needed: Use the local stores in your town (make sure any discounts or coupons are appropriate for prom).

Project Description: By signing a pledge to not drink and drive and to wear a seatbelt on prom night, students are entered in a contest to win discounts at prom clothing stores.

• Ask permission from your administration to hold a contest during prom season.
• Write a letter explaining your organization's goal (to keep students safe during prom season by creating awareness about traffic safety and you would like to ask for a donation as a positive incentive to sign a pledge to buckle up and not drink and drive).
• Go to stores that sell prom attire and present the letter and explain your organization.
• Gratefully accept any donations, and make sure all the details about receiving the donations are taken care of.
• Advertise the contest enough in advance so the winners will know and can make arrangements.
• Enter all students who sign the pledge into the contest.
• Announce the contest winners weeks before prom.
• If you make a big deal out of the contest, you will be more successful next year.

"Mocktail" Bar

Materials Needed:

• Plastic champagne glasses
• Sparkling cider

Setting Needed: Use a table and set up a mock bar at prom or after-prom.

Project Description: Set up a table at prom or after prom and serve "mocktails." This will provide students with fun refreshment and offer a place to promote traffic safety.

• First ask permission from administration and whoever is in charge of planning prom and/or after-prom.
• Buy or seek donations of plastic champagne glasses and sparkling juice or water.
• Make table tents with safety messages about prom to be placed on the mock bar.
• Set up a bar at prom and have one person in charge of monitoring the table. (If your organizations decides the table must be monitored at all times, ask an underclassmen not planning to attend prom or an adult chaperone to supervise.)
• Thank any merchants that donated items by sending a thank you note.

Creative Work Contest

Materials Needed:

• Poster board
• A topic
• Judges

Setting Needed: During the week of prom, hold a contest asking everyone in the school to enter a creative work illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving on Prom Night.

• First ask permission from administrators and your school's broadcasting system technicians.
• Go to a prom dress/tuxedo store and ask for a gift certificate for your contest winners. Be sure to explain the purpose behind the contest
• Have the members of your organization decide on a topic. For example: In a creative way show how your friends and family can be affected by drunk driving on prom night. (A creative work can be: a poem, an essay, a painting, etc.)
• Advertise the contest on your school's broadcasting system and with fliers.
• Offer a prize to be awarded to a boy and girl. (This will depend on the gift certificates you receive.)
• Select a panel of judges. Judges may include: members of your traffic safety organization, administration, teachers, etc.
• Announce the contest winners a few weeks before prom.
• Display the winner's work in a place that the whole school will see it.
• Thank the stores that donated any gift certificates.

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Operation Graduation:

Project Ideas presented by YOVASO

Here are a few activities to try at your high school during the graduation season to promote traffic safety awareness.

Skeleton Display

Materials Needed:

• Skeleton (either from the science department or the store)
• A cap and gown (your school colors will be most effective)
• Poster board
• Markers
• Tape or rope to hang the poster

Setting Needed: The best place for the display will be an area of the school where most of the seniors are throughout the day.

Project Description: The skeleton will be placed in the lobby to remind upcoming graduates that graduation is not the time to mess up their future by making wrong decisions while driving.

• Get permission from the administration.
• Ask the science department to borrow the skeleton and tell them your purpose.
• Request an extra cap and gown from the company handling graduation details in advance or ask a recent graduate to borrow theirs.
• Make a poster for the skeleton to hold with a traffic safety message. Here is an example of a possible message: "Not the look you wanted at graduation? Don't drink and drive. Live to make use of your diploma!" Display the skeleton for seniors the week before graduation.

T-Shirt Contest

Materials Needed:

• The number of t-shirts needed will depend on the number of homeroom or first-period classes in your school
• Permanent markers
• A list of websites to use as resources

Setting Needed: This project works best in a homeroom or first period class because all students are in attendance. There may be a better time in your school's schedule.

Project Description:

Each homeroom will be given a blank t-shirt to design. The homeroom that designs the best safety message shirt for graduation wins a breakfast donated by a local restaurant. (If you can find a company to do it, you could even have the winning design made into real shirts.)

• Always ask for permission from administration before doing any kind of activity!
• Define the time period the contest will run (for example, the week of graduation).
• Print off a list of websites from the YOVASO website (http://www.yovaso.net/) that have traffic safety information.
• Provide each homeroom with a shirt, a website list, and markers.
• Announce the contest on the morning and afternoon announcements.
• Make arrangements with a local restaurant to provide a free breakfast for the winning homeroom. (Write a letter on your school's letterhead explaining your cause.)
  

Graduation Safety Booth

Materials Needed:

• The YOVASO display board and table
• Pictures of seniors who participated in YOVASO/traffic Safety organization
• Traffic safety statistics
• Graduation paraphernalia

Setting Needed: The booth should be set in the front lobby where graduation will occur.

Project Description:

The booth will serve two purposes: first, you will be honoring the graduates who were involved with the traffic safety organization. Second, and most important, you will be making the graduates and their families aware of the consequences of making wrong decisions while driving during graduation celebrations.

• Request permission from your administration. If your ceremony is not held at the school, be sure to ask whoever is in charge of the ceremony for permission.
• Request in advance pictures of all seniors involved in YOVASO.
• During graduation, set up a booth with traffic safety information and some type of "Congratulations" message from YOVASO.
• Provide special information pertaining to graduation at the booth.

Mass Mailing

Materials Needed:

• A list of all graduates at your school and their addresses
• School letterhead (if letterhead is not available then regular paper will be fine)

Project Description:

Send a letter to all graduates and their parents first congratulating them on their accomplishment, but at the same time informing them of the gruesome facts. State that as an organization, YOVASO feels it is important to make them aware of the dangers of making bad decisions while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.

• Ask permission from the administration.
• Obtain a list of graduates and their addresses.
• Request to use your school's letterhead, but if that's not possible, use regular paper.
• Write a letter with three purposes: congratulating them on behalf of the organization; informing parents and graduates of the consequences of unsafe driving during such a special time; and asking parents and graduates to do everything possible to prevent a crash during graduation.

Senior Chain

Materials:

• Small pieces of paper
• Markers

Setting Needed:

• You will need one location to set up a table and have students sign the pledge -- possibly during lunches in front of the cafeteria.
• You will need another location to hang the chain of papers. The front lobby is usually good as long as it will be seen.

Project Description:

You will be making a chain of signed papers to serve as a senior pledge. The pledge should say something about "keeping our future together by pledging to buckle up." Hang a banner in the hall stating the pledge so the underclassmen will know what the pledge is for.

• During lunches (or any other period of time designated) have a table set up for seniors to sign the pieces of paper (the paper will have the pledge printed on it.
• One day after school, designate a group of students in the organization to help put the chain together.
• Make a banner to hang with the chain explaining what the pledge is all about.
• Hang the chain in the main lobby along with the banner the week before school lets out for the summer.

Coffin Display

Materials Needed:

• A coffin
• A mirror
• Poster board

Setting Needed: Set up the display in a place where most seniors will see it

Project Description:

Set up a coffin in a main area of your school to create awareness during the graduation season.

• First, ask for permission from your administration.
• Ask local funeral homes to let you borrow a coffin for a couple of days before school gets out and the seniors graduate.
• Place the coffin in the hall/ lobby of your school for everyone to see.
• Place a mirror inside the coffin so when students look into the coffin they will see a reflection of themselves.
• Put a poster on the side of the coffin with a message similar to this one: "Don't want to see your future in here. Don't drink and drive and always wear your seatbelt!"
• Make sure you thank the funeral home for letting your organization borrow the coffin.

Mock Crash

Materials Needed:

• A crashed car
• Participation from local fire departments, police departments, and emergency crews
• Student volunteers to be victims

Setting Needed: You will need to schedule this event in advance and reserve a large time period during the school day. The best place to have the crash will be in a parking lot or stadium.

Project Description:

A mock car crash is a very effective demonstration of the severe consequences of making bad decisions while operating a vehicle.

• First get permission from administration for the activity and reserve the time and place at this time.
• Call local wrecking/towing companies to donate a crashed car.
• Call the local fire department, police department, and emergency medical crew to role play during the crash.
• Assign volunteers to role play as victims.
• Hold a meeting before the event to make sure everyone understands his or her role during the crash demonstration.
• Thank all the participants after the event; a card is a good way to do this. If you cannot have an assembly, simply bringing a crashed car to the school could have the same effect (see below).

Crashed Car

Materials Needed:

• A crashed car
• Poster board

Setting Needed:

The best place to park the crashed car is a place outside where most students and parents will see on their way to and from school

Project Description:

Placing a crashed car in front of your school will lead to opportunities to bring about awareness through discussion.

• Ask permission from your administration.
• Call local wrecking/towing companies to let you borrow a recently crashed car. If you ask, companies will sometimesprovide a car that was crashed specifically due to drunk driving or excessive speed.
• Place the car in a frequented place outside the school.
• It is up to you whether or not you put a message on the car.

Funeral Assembly

Materials Needed:

• A coffin
• Candles
• A podium
• Teacher and student volunteers to give eulogies
• 6 student volunteers to act as pallbearers

Setting Needed:

The best setting for this activity is a schoolwide assembly preferably towards the end of the school year.

Project Description:

Your organization will put on a mock funeral for a student who is about to graduate but was hypothetically killed in a car crash.

• First, ask permission from your administration and set up a date and time for the assembly.
• Call a local funeral home and request the use of a coffin.
• Find volunteers: 6 students to serve as pallbearers 1 teacher and several students to give eulogies.
• Meet with the volunteers and plan the ceremony and what each volunteer's role will be.
• Hold a meeting with your administration after all the planning is finished to let them know the details.
• Make sure that during the assembly the focus is on a death because of a bad decision made while driving a vehicle, also talk about the things this person was planning on doing and now will not be able to participate in.
• Thank all participants by writing a thank-you note.

Don't Be a "Dum-Dum"

Materials Needed:

• Dum-Dum suckers
• Labels
• Manpower

Setting Needed: The suckers are a great item to be passed out at any event you choose.

Project Description:

The suckers are an easy tool to use to create awareness and serve as a reminder to be a safe driver.

• Ask permission from administration before distributing the suckers at any event.
• Go to local stores and ask for donations of "Dum-Dum" suckers. If you cannot get a donation, buy enough for your event.
• Print out mailing labels that say "Don't be a "Dum-Dum- BUCKLE UP!"
• Hold a meeting and have volunteers put the labels on the suckers
• Pass them out at your event. Ask parents permission before handing the suckers out to small children!

Be a Lifesaver

Materials Needed:

• Individually packaged "Lifesavers"
• Labels
• Manpower

Setting Needed:

The "Lifesavers" are a great item to be passed out at any event you choose

Project Description:

The "Lifesavers" are an easy tool to use to create awareness and serve as a reminder to be a safe driver.

• Ask permission from administration before distributing the candy at any event.
• Go to local stores and ask for donations of individually packaged "Lifesavers." If you cannot get a donation, buy enough for your event.
• Print out mailing labels that say "Be a Lifesaver-Tell a friend to BUCKLE UP!"
• Have a meeting and have volunteers put the labels on the "Lifesavers".
• Pass them out at your event. Ask the permission of parents before handing the candy out to small children!

Annoucements

Materials Needed:

• Volunteers to read announcements daily

Setting Needed: You will need to use your school's broadcasting system. This may be a televised system or an intercom system. Either will work!

Project Description:

You will be creating awareness about your program and traffic safety through a set of announcements to be aired over your school's broadcasting system.

• Ask for permission from your school's administration to broadcast your organizations announcements; offer a copy of each announcement for review.
• Come up with an original set of announcements as an organization by checking the traffic safety websites and brochures for possible statistics and information you can use.
• If you do not want to come up with your own set of announcements, visit the traffic safety websites for their PSA's.
• Talk with your school's broadcasting staff to reserve a time slot for your announcements over the course of the week that your activities will be occurring.
• Assign volunteers to read a different announcement each day.

Senior Breakfast

Materials Needed:

• A local restaurant

Setting Needed: Try to find a local restaurant that supports your organization's cause

Project Description:

By holding a breakfast open to all graduates, you will promote the idea of smart driving while recognizing seniors at the same time.

Even though this event will be held off school grounds, run the idea by your administration to let them know what you are up to; they may even want to join the students for the breakfast.

• Choose a date for the breakfast. Before school may be the best time.
• Go to local restaurants and tell them about your organization and politely ask for a discount for the breakfast. Do this way in advance and be prepared to be able to let the restaurant know about the number of students attending.
• Send out invitations to all seniors announcing the breakfast. A good way to distribute the invitations might be in all senior homerooms or sticking them in the seniors lockers.
• At the restaurant, set up a table with traffic related information on it.
• If you have a special room reserved for the breakfast, decorate it with graduation decorations.
• Have a member of your organization congratulate the seniors and then explain the driving dangers at such an important time.

Fake Diplomas

Materials Needed:

• Paper
• Volunteers to stuff the diplomas

Setting Needed: If your school has any kind of graduation rehearsal or practice, this would be a good event to give out the diplomas.

• Ask permission from your administration to pass out fake diplomas at graduation rehearsal.
• Contact the person in charge of rehearsal and ask permission to hand seniors fake diplomas when they walk across the stage.
• Recruit volunteers to put the fake diplomas together.
• The fake diploma should contain a copy of "I went to a Party, Mom" (Attached- the words can be adapted to fit any situation) and a copy of a letter written by your organization asking the graduate to make graduation time fatality- and injury-free by driving safe. Make the diploma special and tie it with ribbons of your school colors.
• Pass the diplomas out as the students practice walking across the stage.
• If possible, take a minute to explain the importance of the message in the fake diplomas.

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Helpful Links:

• Sleep Deprivation and Teens
  "Drowsy Drivers cause accidents and fatalities. Teens get enough sleep. Check out this link to learn more about why it is important to get enough sleep. Enough said!"www.nhlbi.nih.gov

• AmeriCorps
  Americorps engages more than 40,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service. After their term of service, Americorps members receive education awards that help finance college or pay back student loans. www.AmeriCorps.org
  
  
  

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
  Find out how you can become part of this national mentoring organization serving youth throughout the country. www.bbbsa.org

• Corporation for National Service
  Learn how to become a "partner in service" in order to serve your community. http://www.nationalservice.gov/

• Do Something League
  Do you want to "do something" but you don't know what? Check out the great activities this organization offers and see how you can get involved. www.DoSomething.org

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
  www.MADD.org

• National Crime Prevention Council NCPC
  A national nonprofit organization whose mission is to help Americans prevent crime and build safer, stronger communities. www.NCPC.org

• Street Law, Inc.
  Learn information about law, democracy, and human rights in order to become a better citizen. www.StreetLaw.org

• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
  This site is dedicated to informing students about the dangers of drinking and driving and other destructive decisions. www.SADDonline.com

• Volunteer Match
  Find cool volunteer opportunities by searching online. You can search thousands of volunteer opportunities by zip code, category, and date; then sign up its as easy as that. www.VolunteerMatch.org

• Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)
  WRAP fights drunk and drugged driving as well as under aged drinking in the greater Washington Metropolitan area. www.WRAP.org
  

• Youth Crime Watch of America
  Take ownership of your own Youth Crime Watch program for your school or neighborhood in order to reduce crime and drug use in your community. www.YCWA.org

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