Today, DoSomething.org, the hub for youth-driven leadership and service, announced the launch of ‘Safe Summer Season’ in collaboration with General Motors.  This summer, the initiative will tackle the urgent issue of improving road safety, helping young drivers stay sharp and safe during the 100 deadliest days—from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the reality is that teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes between Memorial Day and Labor Day compared to any other age group. The National Highway, Transportation, Safety Administration’s research has found that dialing a phone number while driving increases teens’ risk of crashing by six times, and texting while driving increases the risk by 23 times. This campaign seeks to educate and equip young people to avoid risky driving behaviors and distractions that can lead to serious and often preventable crashes.

The campaign will include community and digital activations, including a Safe Summer Driving Kit, with tips for road trips, playlists to encourage focus, and guidance for how to avoid phone use. The initiative will also meet young people online through an interactive social media challenge where participants will share their pledge for a “safe summer.”

READ MORE ABOUT ‘SAFE SUMMER SEASON’ HERE: https://dosomething.org/program/safe-summer-season

DoSomething will kick off this initiative through a Mobile Safety Lab at the Detroit Grand Prix which will feature a booth with distracted driving simulators and activities to test reaction times, or responses to road safety scenarios.

“Car crashes remain the leading cause of death among today’s digital native American teens, and the number of distractions they face behind the wheel – from phones to peer pressure – continues to rise. That’s why we’re committed to doing our part to arm young drivers to make safer choices: buckle up, put their phones down, stay focused on the road, and inspire their friends to do the same,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething. “When one young person chooses to drive safely, it can spark a chain reaction that makes a real difference in their communities that makes all of us safer. Through education, conversation, and awareness, we hope to underscore just how critical safe driving habits are and how they can save lives across the country.”

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at General Motors,” said Alexis Brandl, Road Safety Grantmaking Lead at General Motors. “Young people have the power to shape a safer crash-free future. We’re proud to support DoSomething for a Safe Summer Season – to give young drivers the tools, community and confidence they need to drive distraction-free.”

“Participating in DoSomething’s road safety campaigns really opened my eyes to how everyday choices, like avoiding distractions or speaking up when others are driving unsafely, can have life-saving impacts,” said Liliana C. “It made me more mindful not only of my own habits, but also of how I can advocate for safer roads within my community. I now see road safety as a shared responsibility, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that empowers young people to lead that change.”

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Marcia Rabinoff
marcia@unbendablemedia.com