Quick Links:
- Video Samples>
- Current Program Reach>
- Decline of Fatal Crashes in Texas>
- Awards>
- Research>
- Activity Calendar>
- Driving the Message Contest>
- Teen Advisory Board>
- Catch the CRZY!>
- TDS Cup>
- TDS Summit>
- Poster Samples>
- TDS Brochure>
- Ride With Me Parent Activity>
- Teens and Trucks>
- Safe Driving Pledge>
Video Samples
Cypress Falls principal speaks about how her students have embraced TDS and they success they have had. | Creekview teacher and TDS sponsor speaks about her seven years with the TDS program and why it is so important to her. |
I am a Teenager PSA. This video won a Telly Award, a Videographer Award, and a Davey Award. | I am a Teenager, Spanish PSA. |
Current Program Reach
Since 2002, TDS has reached almost 1,000 schools and nearly one million teens. State Farm has recently partnered with TDS to offer the program nationwide to the top high schools that completed their 2014 Celebrate My Drive challenge, but did not win a cash award. This partnership has extended the TDS program opportunity to 100 additional high schools.
Decline of Fatal Crashes in Texas
In Texas, the number of teen drivers, age 15 to 17, involved in fatal crashes has dropped nearly 70 percent. In fact, Texas is the only state where fatal crashes involving teen drivers have decreased every year since 2002.
Awards
2013
- Videographer Award of Distinction: “The Cypress Falls High School TD Story”
2012
- Included in Governors Highway Safety Association Publication, Curbing Teen Driver Crashes: An In-Depth Look at State Novice Driver Initiatives, National Best Practices Guide
- Northside Independent School District’s 2012 Partner of the Year Award
2011
- Institute of Transportation Engineers Inc. Transportation Achievement Award for Safety
- Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for accomplishments in the field of teen driver safety
- Included in Governors Highway Safety Association Guidebook for State Highway Safety Offices, National Best Practices Guide
- National Best in T-Shirt Design 2011 from National Student Safety Program of the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association
2010
- National Safety Council Teen Leadership Award
- Included in Governor’s Highway Safety Association Guidebook for State Highway Safety Offices, National Best Practices Guide
- 2 Telly Awards: Overall campaign and “Disappearing Student” television PSA
- 2 Videographer Awards: “Disappearing Student” and “Horror movie trailer” PSA
- 2 Davey Awards: Activism & Non-profits for overall television PSA campaigns
2009
- USDOT & National Roadway Safety Foundation Award
- Included in USDOT Best Practices Guide for Safety
- 2 Telly Awards: Overall television campaign and “I’m a Teenager” television PSA
- 2 Videographer Awards: “I’m a Teenager” and “Buckle up, dude” television PSAs
- 2 Davey Awards: Activism & Non-profits for overall television PSA campaign
- Recognized as the “Texan of the Week” by the Texas State Radio News Network, marking the first time this recognition was bestowed on a cause or program rather than an individual.
2008
- Telly Award for overall television PSA campaign
- Davey Award for overall television PSA campaign
2007
- Global Road Safety Film Award (World Health Organization / United Nations)
- National Transportation Achievement Award for Safety from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
2006
- President’s Award for Traffic Safety from the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
- Telly Award for “Text Messaging” television PSA
- Videographer Award for “Text Messaging” television PSA
Research
Whitepapers:
Effectiveness of Teens in the Driver Seat Safety Program in Texas (pdf)>
After Graduated Driver Licensing, what’s next (pdf)>
Survey Data
A rigorous 20-county control group analysis for Texas indicates the program results in an average decrease of 14.6 percent in total injury and fatal crashes where the program has been sustained for 3 or more years. Map shows schools with multi-year TDS deployment and “pre and post” surveys, 2007 to 2014.
Survey Data (Texas): 2007 to 2014
Survey Question/Statistic | Percent Improvement |
Percentage of Students Able to Cite 3 or More Top Risks | 14.5 % |
Driving “a lot” after 10 p.m. without anyone over 21 years old | 11.6 % |
Texting while driving “a lot” | 33.9 % |
Driving 10+ mph over the posted speed limit “a lot” | 10.4 % |
Drivers not wearing a seat belt “a lot” | 24.0 % |
Never drinking and driving | 10.9 % |
Pre-TDS sample size = 1,694; post-TDS sample size = 2,496 |
Activity Calendar
TDS is designed to be scalable and easy to implement. All school team members are provided with activity calendars that outline easy to follow event, activity ideas, and national awareness dates they can use to promote their safe driving message. The calendar is printed in book form and is durable enough to use the entire year and even pass along to the next team as a reference.
2015-2016 Activity Calendar (pdf)>
Driving the Message Contest
Now in it’s ninth year, this contest encourages junior high and high school students to speak up, save a life, and cash in. The contest allows video and poster entries from teen individuals or teams from any school within the United States. Three top places in each category are awarded, along with a teen choice and honorable mentions, and are awarded up to $2,000. The TDS Teen Advisory Board reviews entries to provide feedback, then the winning entries are chosen by a diverse panel of judges from the community. Top winners and other notable entries are published on the TDS website and social media pages, made available for downloading, and are distributed to schools in program starter kits.
Sample poster winners:
Sample video winners:
Catch the CRZY!
Launched in 2013, this 9-week activity focuses on increasing seat belt use in the fall and decreasing distracted driving in the spring. All high school and junior high TDS teams are invited to participate. The activity consists of three tasks: a pre-observation, three weeks of safety messages and activities, and a post-observation. All observation data is returned to TDS and the teams receive a report of their results and a $100 gift card for a pizza party. All team results are posted on the TDS website.
The teams receive access to a training video, instructions, observation forms, and activity resources. This year we are making a mobile observation tool available.
Sample observation form (pdf)>
Most recent final report (pdf)>
TDS Cup
The annual TDS Cup allows TDS program schools to acquire points throughout the year and compete with other schools in their region by holding activities and participating in events. Schools that meet all requirements are recognized as an Outstanding School and schools with the most points are awarded cash prizes, up to $1,000. Outstanding and top schools receive a plaque and winning schools receive a cup, which are all presented at an awards banquet at the TDS Summit held each May.
Teen Advisory Board
High school teens who are between the ages of 14 and 18, and are currently enrolled in school (public, private or home-school) are encouraged to apply for the Teens in the Driver Seat Teen Advisory Board each spring to serve for the next year. The teen must be willing to commit to quarterly meetings by conference call, web meeting or in person, as well as be available for various needs. TDS relies on the Teen Advisory Board for the following:
- Actively organize a TDS program at their local high schools,
- Assist in organizing program-oriented events and activities in their local community,
- Provide feedback, ideas and opinions on new program materials, safety messages, educational items and related elements,
- Provide ideas and insights on how to continue to successfully engage teens and sustain their interest in the Teens in the Driver Seat program, and
- Serve as an ambassador/leader for Teens in the Driver Seat, leading by example.
TDS Summit
The annual TDS Summit showcases student leaders to bring awareness about this problem of teen crashes to their peers, their families and their community. Participants learn about the epidemic of teen crashes and the latest innovative solutions to combat it. Activities are available for teens, teachers, school administrators, families, law enforcement, safety practitioners, industry and more.
Students attend workshops, participate in fun, interactive learning activities, learn ways to take the safe driving message back to their communities, and bond with their TDS peers in a fun, productive environment. The Summit is completed with an awards luncheon where teams, teachers, and student leaders are recognized.
Poster Samples
TDS Brochure
TDS Brochure (pdf)>
Ride With Me Parent Activity
Piloted in the 2014-2015 school year, this activity brings a unique teen-to-parent approach to teach parents about the risks teens face behind the wheel. The activity is designed to cover teen driving risks, graduated driver licensing laws, and what parents can do to help keep their teens safe. Texas high schools TDS teams are invited to participate and are provided an interactive presentation with script, a video, a parent pledge banner, printed brochures, informational dry erase boards, and a pre-test for parents. Teams were asked to present the information to a group of parents and to give feedback on reaction for future improvements to the activity.
I am a Teenager PSA. This video won a Telly Award, a Videographer Award, and a Davey Award. | I am a Teenager, Spanish PSA. |
Informational dry erase board design: | Inside of brochure: |
Teens and Trucks
Through a grant provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TDS created supplemental materials and safety messaging to distribute at conferences, workshops, and when requested by schools. In an effort to engage our target audience TDS created the tagline “Respect the Rig. Avoid the No Zones” and created a brochure with poster, air fresheners and bookmarks. Additionally, a TDS Teen Advisory Board member spoke at a media event and TDS invited a trucking company to several events throughout the year as an educational opportunity to teens.
Poster: | |
Media event with Teen Advisory Board presenter: | TDS Summit with Big Rig demonstration: |
Safe Driving Pledge
A TDS pledge banner is sent to all program schools as part of their starter kit. The vinyl banner can be used as an activity so teens can pledge to avoid the top five risks they face behind the wheel. It is durable enough to be used throughout the year and hung in the school to remind students of their pledge. The pledge is also displayed on team t-shirts and several resources. There is a high school and junior high pledge available.