National Organizations for Youth Safety ask "Are you ready to make some NOYS?"

One of our strongest partners in the campaign for driving safety has been the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS).  And, with National Youth Traffic Safety Month approaching in May, NOYS is asking America's high schools, "Are you ready to make some NOYS?"

Here at the Department of Transportation, we hope schools across the nation answer "YES!" by participating in the NOYS Act Out Loud contest.

Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for teens in America.  And, with proms, graduations, and the arrival of summer, May marks the beginning of a busy driving season for America’s teens.  In fact, eight of the ten deadliest days for young people on our nation's highways annually fall between May and August.

That's why the NOYS Act Out Loud contest wants to make sure America's young safety activists are ready in time to hit the ground running with peer education programs. Act Out Loud asks teens to create projects that raise awareness in their communities of the dangers of distracted driving.

Meeting with young safety advocates from NOYS in January

Teams must submit their distracted driving prevention project proposals by April 11, 2011.  Videos of the projects must be submitted by May 6, 2011. You can read other rules at the contest website.

This contest is also a terrific way for schools to use the many resources in their communities--law enforcement, government leadership, and experts--to support this safety message.  If it involves teen safety, these resources are always ready to lend a hand.

Even better?  The best projects could win up to $10,000 for their local safety organization.

So, please, don't miss an opportunity to educate your community about safe teen driving.  If you're affiliated with a high school or other youth safety organization, start making plans to Act Out Loud.

Comments

[Los Angeles Honda]

This sounds like a great project that utilizes community resources in order to educate people and teens in particular about distracted driving. I think the main problems with teens is texting and talking on the cell phone while driving and also driving under the influence (I realize this isn't considered distracted driving), however it also accounts for a large majority of teen car crashes. The most important aspect is parent involvement; most teens hear what their parents say even if they pretend not to.