We involve youth every step of the way!
The Youth Transportation Safety (YTS) peer-to-peer injury prevention programs involve youth every step of the way. Teens in the Driver Seat® is the nation’s first peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers. Inspired by the highly successful Teens in the Driver Seat program, the collegiate education and outreach program U in the Driver Seat was established.
Research suggests that people are more likely to hear and personalize messages, and thus to change their attitudes and behaviors, if they believe the messenger is similar to them and faces the same concerns and pressures. Numerous studies have demonstrated that their peers influence youth’s health behaviors. Peer education draws on the credibility that young people have with their peers, leverages the power of role modeling, and provides flexibility in meeting the diverse needs of today’s youth.
This is why we recruit youth leaders to directly develop and deliver safety messaging year-round.
In 2017, the Teens in the Driver Seat initiative became a Certified Peer Program by meeting the national standards put forth by the National Association of Peer Program Professionals (NAPPP). Every staff member is a Certified Peer Program Educator through the NAPPP to provide quality aid and training as youth conduct education and outreach at their respective campuses.
YTS is committed to fighting the number-one killer of youth in America, but it can only succeed with the involvement and commitment of young people who are represented by the Teens in the Driver Seat® Teen Advisory Board and U in the Driver Seat Collegiate Advisory Board.