YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YRDI)

SADD STATE COORDINATOR WORKSHOPPart I: What and Why?

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YRDI)

SADD SCHOOL ADVISOR WORKSHOPPart I: What and Why?

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YRDI)

SCHOOL LEADERS WORKSHOPPart I: What and Why?

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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Crashes aren’t accidents.• Crashes are the No. 1 cause of

death for adolescents.• The whole school community

must be involved to solve this complex problem.

• RLAF is a positive, evidence-based, peer-to-peer campaign that can make a difference.

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5,000 REASONS TO GET INVOLVED• That’s how many teen lives are lost in car crashes each year.• SADD leaders, students and parents know this has to change.• It’s time to take action - What can you do?

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A CAUSE, A SOLUTION• A car “crash” is not an

“accident.”• A crash has a cause or set

of causes.• A cause could be

distracting passengers, cell phones (text or call), speeding and driving inexperience.

By understanding the cause, we can do something to prevent crashes!

12%Suicide 16%

Homicide

37%All Other

35%Motor Vehicle

LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR TEENS

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WHAT CAUSES CAN COMBINE IN FATAL TEEN CAR CRASHES?*

Alcohol?Less than 20%(SADD, your work

has made a difference.)* Among 16- to 17-year-old drivers Source: Williams, et al, Journal of Public Health Policy, 16:3 (1995)

The top cause of fatal teen crashes

is Driver Error:

75%Speeding?About 40%

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DISTRACTIONS AND INEXPERIENCE ARE MAJOR FACTORS IN DRIVER ERRORA BIG DISTRACTION? PASSENGERS

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PASSENGERS ARE A MAJOR FACTOR LEADING TO FATAL TEEN CRASHES

• One peer passenger doubles the risk of a fatal crash• Three or more peer passengers raises fatal crash risk

four to five times

Source: Chen L, et al. Journal of the American Medical Association (2000)

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FOR TEENS, PASSENGERS ARE A HAZARD.FOR ADULTS, PASSENGERS ARE A BENEFIT.WHY?

Chen, LH, Baker, SP, Braver, ER & Li, G. JAMA (2000).

Relative Crash Risk

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YET ONLY 10% OF TEENS VIEW PEER

PASSENGERS AS A MAJOR FACTOR IN DRIVING SAFETY

How can we:1) Increase awareness2) Help drivers stay safe3) Change passenger behavior

Source: Ginsburg, KR, et al. Pediatrics. May 2008

FOR TEENS, PASSENGERS ARE A HAZARD

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TEENS TOLD US

• I want my friends with me.• My friends aren’t the

problem!• Unless…they’re:

1) Acting wild2) Encouraging me to

speed3) Intoxicated4) Singing/dancing

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TEENS TOLD US

• They would not consider eliminating passengers for the first 6 months or first 1,000 miles after receiving their license.

• They will follow Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) passenger limitations and their family’s “house rules” about driving passengers.

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TEENS TOLD USThey would use these

safe driving behaviors:1) Wear seat belts2) Establish safe driver-passenger interaction3) Reduce driver distractions4) Ask for help as drivers5) Turn down radio volume

RLAF builds on this!

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SOMEDAY YOU WILL DRIVE YOUR FRIENDS• RLAF recognizes and supports passenger limits:

• during the first 6 month or 1,000 miles of driving• in keeping with Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws

• Eventually you will be in full control of your car, your rules rules and the number of passengers

Safe passenger behavior will pay off today and down the road.

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TEENS WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

RLAF can help them:1) Understand what

causes crashes2) Find ways to be

better passengers3) Find ways to be

better drivers

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MESSAGES FOR DRIVERS

• Set rules.• Ask for help.• Expect respect.

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MESSAGES FOR PASSENGERS

• Buckle up.• Be there to help (give directions,

answer cell phones, etc.)• Show respect.

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WE KNOW YOU’VE DONE LOTS OF PROGRAMS.WHAT MAKES THIS ONE SPECIAL?

• It’s positive—even fun.• It’s evidence-based.• It gets everyone involved.• It’s free and easy to implement.• It supports a safe school environment.

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IT’S POSITIVE

• Teen focused and teen-delivered

• All about awareness• Targets something

teens can actually do something about

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STAY POSITIVE--RESEARCH SHOWS:

Scare tactics lead tofear and short-term change

Sources: Hale J, et al., Designing Health Messages, Sage (1995) Witte, K. et al., The Handbook of Communication and Emotion (1998)

Positive messages lead to long-term change

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“TEENS REALLY LIKED HEARING WHAT THEY COULD DO--VERSUS BEING TOLD WHAT NOT TO DO.”

• --A hospital medical administrator that helped launch RLAF in four high schools

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IT’S EVIDENCE-INFORMED

• Expert research uncovered the need

• Teens did the talking• Expert researchers and

health professionals did the development

• Initial evaluation shows teens like it

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IT’S EVIDENCE-INFORMED

• Based on science• Based on data• Based on good models• Evaluation matters

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IT INVOLVES EVERYONE

• Passengers and drivers• School and community

members• Parents and other adults

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• Easy, broad student participation

• Starts the safe passenger conversation

IT INVOLVES EVERYONE

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IT’S FREE AND EASY TO IMPLEMENT

• Activities guide• Promotional help• Planning guides• Pre-packaged

downloadable materials

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Network members receive:• RLAF email alerts• Access to webinars

IT’S FOR YOU

Go to www.ridelikeafriend.com

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KEY RLAF ELEMENTS

Certain materials and messages are required to be used for campaign success.

• Friends Driving Friends poll• Poll follow-up activity• One other activity from the RLAF menu• Distribute at least one RLAF material

Add on additional materials and activities as you are able.

#1

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RLAF SUCCESS DEPENDS ON STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Let students brainstorm and make decisions about

what campaign components they’ll use.

What will work best at our school?

#2

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RLAF SUCCESS DEPENDS ON STUDENT INPUT

Advisors help guide the process and raise important issues…

• Which activities?• What materials?• What locations?• What events?• What funding is needed?

…all while using the materials within a certain time frame.

#3

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RLAF SUCCESS DEPENDS ON STUDENT ACTIVISM

Students must conduct the campaign• Recruit a team• Promote their campaign• Get feedback

#4

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YRDI)

Available courtesy of the Research and Outreach Alliance of:

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YDRI)

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YRDI)

NEXT UPGetting It Started

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www.ridelikeafriend.com

YOUNG DRIVER RESEARCH INITIATIVE (YDRI)