Teen drivers again the focus of NJSIAA’s annual safe driving campaign
Messaging benefits first-time drivers
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (Nov. 6, 2025) – Teen drivers are once again the focus of a statewide safety campaign, as the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety are partnering for the fifth consecutive year to share a clear message: nothing should compete with safety behind the wheel. This initiative reminds young drivers that their safety can be compromised by risks like distracted driving, speeding, passengers, and not wearing a seat belt.
Details on the program, which debuted in 2021, are communicated during NJSIAA championship sporting events through traditional media as well as interactive promotions. Content is also shared via social media channels as well as print and digital newsletters. By connecting safe driving to the competitive spirit and teamwork of high school athletics, the initiative encourages teens, their families, and the broader community to make safe driving a top priority.
“With motor vehicle crashes continuing to be the leading cause of death for teens, it is vital for us to engage with our young drivers,” said Michael J. Rizol, Jr., Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “We are proud to partner once again with NJSIAA so that we can reach teens and their parents and prevent risky driving behaviors and crashes.”
Colleen Maguire, NJSIAA's Executive Director, notes: “We’re proud to join forces with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety for the fifth consecutive year. This longstanding partnership reinforces our shared commitment to protecting students and families by promoting safe driving habits. Each year, this initiative provides a powerful reminder that the lessons of teamwork, responsibility, and smart decision-making extend well beyond the playing field and onto our roads.”
The messaging emphasizes six key focus areas for keeping new drivers safe on New Jersey’s roadways:
- Preventing impaired driving
- The components of the state’s Graduated Driver License
- Dangers of speeding
- Risks of distracted driving
- Seat belt awareness
- Pedestrian Safety
In 2023, a total of 2,611 people were killed nationally in traffic crashes that involved a driver between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of these fatalities, 822 were teen drivers and 604 were passengers of a teen driver. Compared to other states, New Jersey fortunately has one of the lowest rates of teen driver fatalities. However, too many young lives are lost on New Jersey’s roads with 650 people killed in traffic crashes involving young drivers during the last decade, including 287 teen drivers and 67 teen passengers riding with them.
About NJSIAA
Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization of approximately 435 accredited public and non-public high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 33 sports.
