Local News
Campaign urges teens to report reckless driving
Published on Thu, Feb 1, 2007Read More News
The Ad Council, a coalition of state Attorneys General, consumer protection agencies, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and AAA (American Automobile Association), are launching a new campaign designed to save lives and reduce youth reckless driving by enlisting teen passengers to “Speak Up”.
While most teens are initially wary of expressing their discomfort with a friend who’s driving recklessly for fear of appearing uncool, all teen passengers experience a flashpoint of anxiety when a friend is driving dangerously.
The campaign includes a series of PSAs, a new Web site and a soon-to-be launched contest. The PSAs feature safe driving tips and conclude with the message “There is no spokesperson to prevent reckless driving. There’s only you. Speak up.” Reckless driving includes speeding, weaving through traffic, tailgating, racing, and distracted driving
According to the Attorney General's office, most 15-21 year olds killed in crashes are not wearing seatbelts, young males most likely to speed, and/or not wear seatbelts, and younger drivers are 68 percent more likely to roll over than older drivers.
The campaign’s objectives include:
• encouraging passengers to speak up when they feel threatened in a car driven by a friend.
• alerting young drivers to the dangers of speeding and have them understand the relationship between their reckless driving behavior, not wearing a seat belt, and an increased risk of injury or death, especially while operating an SUV.
• reducing the number of injuries and deaths among 15 to 21 year-old drivers and passengers in car crashes resulting from youth reckless / aggressive / unrestrained driving.
While most teens are initially wary of expressing their discomfort with a friend who’s driving recklessly for fear of appearing uncool, all teen passengers experience a flashpoint of anxiety when a friend is driving dangerously.
The campaign includes a series of PSAs, a new Web site and a soon-to-be launched contest. The PSAs feature safe driving tips and conclude with the message “There is no spokesperson to prevent reckless driving. There’s only you. Speak up.” Reckless driving includes speeding, weaving through traffic, tailgating, racing, and distracted driving
According to the Attorney General's office, most 15-21 year olds killed in crashes are not wearing seatbelts, young males most likely to speed, and/or not wear seatbelts, and younger drivers are 68 percent more likely to roll over than older drivers.
The campaign’s objectives include:
• encouraging passengers to speak up when they feel threatened in a car driven by a friend.
• alerting young drivers to the dangers of speeding and have them understand the relationship between their reckless driving behavior, not wearing a seat belt, and an increased risk of injury or death, especially while operating an SUV.
• reducing the number of injuries and deaths among 15 to 21 year-old drivers and passengers in car crashes resulting from youth reckless / aggressive / unrestrained driving.
