America’s firstpeer-to-peersafety programfor young drivers

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A Public Health Crisis• Motor vehicle crashes

are the #1 killer of teens in America

• Car crashes account for 2% of all deaths in U.S.

• They account for 44% of teen deaths

Source: NHTSA, 2005

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The Tragic Toll

● About 6,000 teens per year killed in traffic crashes in U.S.

● 600 per year in Texas

Source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

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Tragedies Put in PerspectiveLike a commercial

airliner full of teens

crashing

every week,for an entire year

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Source: FARS data for Texas

Common Misconception of “Drinking” as #1 Risk

• Drinking and driving involved in only 12% of 15 & 16-year old driver crashes

• Campaigns directed at this issue are missing 88% of the problem for this age group

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Major Risk Factors Driver inexperience • Driving at night

• Speeding/racing

● Teen passengers● Cell phones / “texting”

• Low seat belt use• Alcohol/drugs

Source: National Safety Council, 2007

• Distractions

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TDS as part of the solution• Peer-to-peer program

• Increase awareness of teen driving risks

• Decrease the number of crashes for teen drivers.

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Involving Teens is Critical“Tell me something, and I’ll forget.

Show me something, and I may remember it.

Involve me, and I’ll understand.”

-- Chinese Proverb

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300+ high schools and 300,000+ teens reached to date

San AntonioYoakum

Beaumont

Tyler

Dallas

Odessa

El Paso

Corpus Christi

Lubbock

Austin

Laredo

Pampa

La Joya

Wichita Falls

Waco

Ft Worth

Bracketville

College Station

Brenaham

Houston

Mc Allen

Bronte

Taft

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Areas

interested

in TDS

In addition: Qatar

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Does TDS Seem

to be Working?

t-driver.com Teenage Knowledge of Highest RisksTDS Pilot Project – San Antonio, 2002-2003

13

30

67

80

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Driving at Night

Speeding/racing

Other teens in vehicle

Drinking/Drugs

Awareness Before Awareness After

Source: Pre- and post-surveys at TDS pilot program school, n = 2,570

t-driver.comTeen Traffic Fatality Trends and Benchmarks in Texas

533 540 548 581625 625

546504

482459 435

300

400

500

600

700

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Year

16 to 19 year-old Texas drivers involved in fatal crashesFARS Data

1995 On- Road

Driving Test Removed

Parent Taught Driver Ed

Implemented

TDSImplemented

GDL Implemented

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How we compare to other states & U.S.

•Change in teen drivers involved in fatal crashes for states with a “Fair” GDL rating, 2002 to 2007:

•U.S. = - 14.1 %

•Florida = + 12.2 %

•Texas = - 33.0 %

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Percent improvement in Texas Teen Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes by Age, 2002-2007

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Field Studies• Wireless device

use by drivers: - 30%

• Seat belt use: +14%

t-driver.comCity of Garland (TDS) vs Mesquite (Control Group)

• All data shown for pre-timeframe of 2002-2006 (pre-TDS) and 2006 to present (post-TDS)

• Significant decreases in crashes involving teens and teen fatalities in Garland

• Marginal changes in control group

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How Does TDS Work?

&

What Resources are Available?

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Identifying & Organizing Your TDS Team• Team size of 10 to 12 students is ideal

• Can be a school-based organization (FCCLA, Student Council, 4-H, etc.);

• Or a group of volunteers

• Helps continuity if you involve some freshman and sophomores as well

t-driver.comFind out what teens in your community know

• Tool is provided to assess awareness and driving behavior

• We provide data summary support

• Useful for:

• Measuring any changes you can accomplish

• Using as basis for press event and/or focusing on your greatest areas of need

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TDS Tools• Website: t-driver.com• T-shirts and jerseys• TV messages and radio spots• TDS graphics• Downloadable posters• How-to guide• Promotional items• Links to information

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Order an official banner, or make their own

TDS Banners

Use the banner at…•Sporting Events

•Concession Stands

•Cafeteria

•Library

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Benefits - Positive media coverage - Contests with prizes - Awards for completing program- Community service credits

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Smart Use of Public Tax Dollars● Worked with Texas Assoc. of Broadcasters to purchase

$80,000 in media spots● Were guaranteed 3 to 1 match based upon non-

profit status

● Received $1.4 million of airtime (17 to 1 return on funds)

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Major Awards● 3 major national transportation awards in past 4 years(USDOT, AASHTO & ITE)

● 10 national awards for production quality (Telly, Davey &Videographer Awards)

t-driver.comt-driver.com What’s New?TDS Junior High Component• Passenger advocacy of

safety

• Encourage safe driving habits at an early age

• Mentor/leadership opportunity for high school TDS team

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I don’t drive, so what can I do?● Help the driver make smart

decisions

● Know the dangers as a passenger and soon to be driver

● Speak up! After all it is your life

● Buckle up, every time

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Funding• Funding in Texas to support deployment for the

next 2 years

• NHTSA contract to pilot program in California & Connecticut through May 2010

• New 3-year contract with Georgia DOT

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Program Contacts

Program Director Public AffairsRussell Henk Bernie Fette(210) 979-9411 (979) 845-2623r-henk@tamu.edu b-fette@tamu.edu