History

2018

Recognized by the National Association of Peer Program Professionals as a Certified Peer Program
All TDS staff became Certified Peer Program Educators
Awarded first Pedestrian Safety grant for Austin, Texas, district

15 Year Anniversary of the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) program
Enrollment milestone – the TDS program reach 1,300 schools in 38 different states and over 1.3 million students in high school and junior high nationwide
TDS received 501(c)(3) designation through the fiscal pass through agent, Texas A&M Foundation
67 member cohort from 9 states sat on the Teen Advisory Board

Competition winner for Transportation Research Board’s 9th Annual Competition and Call, Communicating Concepts with John and Jane Q. Public
Piloted the Teen Driver app
42 member cohort from 7 states sat on the Teen Advisory Board

National Safety Council awarded Russell Henk the 2015 Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award
Enrollment milestone – the TDS program reached 1,000 schools and 1 million teens nationwide
Awarded first Pedestrian Safety grant for San Antonio, Texas, district

Inaugural Teens in the Driver Seat Summit
Launched Zero Crazy (formerly “Catch the Crazy”) seat belt and distracted driving activity toward zero deaths
Launched TDS program in Colorado

Launched the U in the Driver Seat traffic safety initiative for college aged youth
Included in Governors Highway Safety Association Publication, Curbing Teen Driver Crashes: An In-Depth Look at State Novice Driver Initiatives, National Best Practices Guide
San Antonio, Texas, Northside Independent School District’s 2012 Partner of the Year Award

Institute of Transportation Engineers Inc. Transportation Achievement Award for Safety
Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for accomplishments in the field of teen driver safety
Included in Governors Highway Safety Association Guidebook for State Highway Safety Offices, National Best Practices Guide
National Best in T-Shirt Design 2011 from National Student Safety Program of the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association
The First TDS Cup was awarded

National Safety Council Teen Leadership Award
Included in Governor’s Highway Safety Association Guidebook for State Highway Safety Offices, National Best Practices Guide
2 Telly Awards: Overall campaign and “Disappearing Student” television PSA
2 Videographer Awards: “Disappearing Student” and “Horror movie trailer” PSA
2 Davey Awards: Activism & Non-profits for overall television PSA campaigns

USDOT & National Roadway Safety Foundation Award
Included in USDOT Best Practices Guide for Safety
The first Teen Advisory Board was established with 13 members
Created the SponStar awards to recognize teachers/sponsors at the high school that contribute to the success of the TDS team
Teens in the Driver Seat launched in California
2 Telly Awards: Overall television campaign and “I’m a Teenager” television PSA
2 Videographer Awards: “I’m a Teenager” and “Buckle up, dude” television PSAs
2 Davey Awards: Activism & Non-profits for overall television PSA campaign
Recognized as the “Texan of the Week” by the Texas State Radio News Network, marking the first time this recognition was bestowed on a cause or program rather than an individual.

National Transportation Achievement Award for Safety from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Global Road Safety Film Award (World Health Organization / United Nations)

President’s Award for Traffic Safety from the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Telly Award for “Text Messaging” television PSA
Videographer Award for “Text Messaging” television PSA