During the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years, Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) supported an activity at TDS schools to decrease electronic device use among teen drivers who transport students. The activity, Zero Hero, is in its 9th year and consists of a pre-observation, three weeks of messaging, a post-observation, and a pizza party for schools that completed and returned all observation data. The activity was offered to all program schools.
In the 2019-20 school year, six high schools and junior high schools returned all pre-observation data. Three schools completed post-observation data and received a report of their results and a $100 gift card for their accomplishment. In the 2020-21 school year, eight high schools and junior high schools returned all observation data and received a report of their results and a $100 gift card for their accomplishment. Finally, in the 2021-22 school year, fifteen high schools and junior high schools returned all pre-observation data. Twelve schools completed the post-observation data and received a report of their results and a $100 gift card for their accomplishment.
High school student teams were asked to observe teen drivers and log if they were or were not visibly using an electronic device. Junior High student teams were asked to observe adult drivers and log electronic use.
Questions regarding data may be directed to Christine Yager at c-yager@tti.tamu.edu.
2019 – 2020 School Year Results
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| All 2019 – 2020 Schools | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 968 | 610 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 85.83% | 89.33% | +4.07% |
| Texas 2019 – 2020 Schools | 488 | 470 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 84.59% | 86.45% | +2.19% |
| Georgia 2019 – 2020 Schools | 337 | 140 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 88.41% | 99.00% | +11.98% |
2020 – 2021 School Year Results
All 2020 – 2021 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 800 | 828 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 86.99% | 83.85% | -3.61% |
| First Year Schools (i.e. the first year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 125 | 125 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 73.60% | 57.60% | -21.74% |
| Multi-Year Schools (the latest year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 675 | 703 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 89.47% | 88.51% | -1.06% |
Texas 2020 – 2021 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 276 | 279 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 77.51% | 71.73% | -7.46% |
| First Year Schools (i.e. the first year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 125 | 125 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 73.60% | 57.60% | -21.74% |
| Multi-Year Schools (the latest year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 151 | 154 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 97.00% | 99.00% | +3.04% |
Georgia 2020 – 2021 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 144 | 140 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 97.00% | 99.00% | +2.06% |
Nebraska 2020 – 2021 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 357 | 386 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 90.27% | 86.68% | -3.98% |
Colorado 2020 – 2021 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 23 | 23 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 87.00% | 91.00% | +4.60% |
2021 – 2022 School Year Results
All 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 2,289 | 1,873 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 80.65% | 92.20% | +14.32% |
| First Year Schools (i.e. the first year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 839 | 818 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 69.46% | 90.39% | +30.14% |
| Multi-Year Schools (the latest year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 1,450 | 1,055 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 87.12% | 93.60% | +7.43% |
Texas 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 842 | 874 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 91.23% | 91.82% | -0.64% |
| First Year Schools (i.e. the first year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 130 | 105 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 86.55% | 77.86% | -10.35% |
| Multi-Year Schools (the latest year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 712 | 105 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 92.03% | 93.73% | +1.84% |
Georgia 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 107 | 0 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 79% |
Nebraska 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 753 | 348 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 87.95% | 95.16% | +8.20% |
| First Year Schools (i.e. the first year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 200 | 198 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 97.00% | 93.00% | -4.12% |
| Multi-Year Schools (the latest year that a school completed this activity) | |||
| Teen Driver Sampling | 535 | 150 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 84.56% | 98.00% | +15.89% |
Colorado 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 96 | 136 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 74.00% | 88.00% | +18.92% |
Washington 2021 – 2022 Schools
| Pre-Counts | Post-Counts | % Change | |
| Teen Driver Sampling | 36 | 22 | |
| Total % of Teen Drivers NOT Using an Electronic Device | 83.00% | 100.00% | +20.48% |