Be A Winner Behind The Wheel - Safe Driving For Teens

 

The NJSIAA has partnered with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety on the “Be a Winner Behind the Wheel” campaign, to provide safe driving messaging to teens, their families, and communities at large. 

Teens and young drivers are at higher risk for being involved and injured in motor vehicle crashes.  Lack of driving experience, cognitive development, peer pressure, and risk-taking tendencies are all factors that impact safe driving for teens.

Sports teaches student athletes about discipline, skills development, and practice - all of which can be applied to behind the wheel. Integrating driving safety with athletic programs is a vital pathway to educate teens and establish life-long safe driving habits. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety is dedicated to preventing crashes involving this age group and has identified six key areas of focus for keeping teens safe on the road. 

The “Be A Winner Behind the Wheel” campaign emphasizes the following platforms:

Drug and Alcohol Impaired Driving

Drugs and alcohol impair reaction times, judgement, and motor skills. The risk of teens being involved in a drinking and driving crash is higher than adult drivers and teens are 17 times more likely to be killed in an alcohol-related crash. Younger drivers in New Jersey are also more likely to be involved a drug-related in a fatal crash.

Graduated Drivers License: Stick to It!

New Jersey has had a winning streak with the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law. These laws have proven to be effective in reducing teen driving fatalities in the state so we’re asking NJ teens and families to #StickToIt.

GLD laws are recognized as the single most effective tool for keeping young drivers safe and reducing teen driver crashes, injuries and deaths. New Jersey has some of the most effective teen driving laws in the country including the GDL, Kyleigh’s Law, and as of 2025, a new requirement of 50 practice hours for permit holders.

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Dangers of Speeding

Speed may be ideal for sports, but not for the road. Teens are more likely to speed and take risks. Speeding is directly related to crash severity and was a factor in 30% of fatal crashes involving a teen driver. Slowing down improves driving skills and reduces the chances of making errors resulting in a crash.

Risk of Distracted Driving, via the related “Take Control of your Destiny” campaign

Focus is needed on the field and on the road. Getting home safe is the goal of driving, and any distraction can get in the way of that goal. Young drivers are more at risk for being distracted while driving and being involved in a fatal distracted driving-related crash.

Seat Belt Awareness: 

Helmets, shin guards, and mouth guards protect athletes on the field, like seat belts protect drivers and passengers. Buckling up cuts the risk of fatality in half, yet seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. Click It Or Ticket is an annual nationwide campaign that incorporates zero-tolerance enforcement of safety belt laws with public awareness efforts and the support of government agencies, local coalitions and school officials to increase seat belt usage.

Pedestrian Safety:

People walking and driving are on the same team, not opponents. A staggering 30% of all roadway fatalities in New Jersey are pedestrians. As teens learn to drive, it is essential that they learn to share the road with pedestrians by giving them 4 feet of space when passing, stopping at crosswalks, slowing down, and not being distracted.

 

Campaign Media:

NJSIAA Social Channels

New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety Social Channels