Programs

Young drivers are the most likely to be involved in crashes. Every year, drivers under the age of 25 are involved in six million crashes that result in 14,000 deaths. In fact, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 25. Several new and revised programs can help raise awareness and change behaviors in this high-risk group.

Teens Behind the Wheel

  • Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety
  • Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Course

Teens Behind the Wheel

This Minnesota-specific education program, designed for 15- to 17-year-olds, can be presented in one session. The program includes a leader's guide with detailed lesson plan, a booklet for students and a video. The tone is irreverent and laced with humor. The purpose of Teens Behind the Wheel is to go beyond basic driver's education and provide additional safety messages. Specifically, it's designed to help teens:

  • Recognize they are more likely than any other age group to be injured or killed in a car crash.
  • Identify driver distractions and risk-taking.
  • Understand the consequences of being involved in a crash.
  • Develop techniques and strategies to help them be safer drivers.

"Teens Behind the Wheel" is being distributed by the Minnesota Wireless Foundation, which produced the program in association with AAA Minnesota/Iowa; the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety; and the Minnesota Safety Council.

Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety

This new publication from the National Safety Council could be an excellent resource for your employees who are parents of young drivers, as well as the drivers themselves. It's designed to help families and teens manage the experience from beginner to independent driver. The purpose of the guide is to provide specific actions that parents and teens can take to reduce risks.

Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Course

This National Safety Council program debuted in 1995, but has recently been revised. It's a highly interactive four-hour program that encourages young drivers ages 16–24 to take responsibility for their driving behavior. The goals of the program include teaching young adults that: