Fredericksburg Students Win Awards For Teen Driver Safety Projects

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Students from Fredericksburg were recently recognized for projects they created to help educate students about driver and passenger safety.

Sixty-three high schools, middle schools, and youth groups across the commonwealth participated in the annual Arrive Alive – It’s a Whole Vibe initiative, which is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office, and State Farm.

During March, April and May, participating schools and youth groups competed for prizes by developing a project and completing call-to-action activities. They also conducted pre and post seat belt checks to measure the impact of their project at their school or in their community. Campaign evaluations reported a 6 percent increase in seat belt use between the pre and post-project tests.

As part of the Arrive Alive program, student also took part in other activities to promote driver and passenger safety, such as hosting YOVASO’s Distracted Driving Simulator at their school or organizing poster design contests.

Arrive Alive High School Winners

• Halifax County High School, Halifax Co., 1st Place - $500 prize
• Liberty High School, Bedford Co., 2nd Place - $250 prize
• REACH Homeschool Group, Fredericksburg City, 3rd Place - $100 prize

Arrive Alive Middle School Winners

• Walker Grant Middle School, Fredericksburg City, 1st Place -$500 prize
• William Byrd Middle School, Roanoke Co., 2nd Place - $250 prize
• Cave Spring Middle School, Roanoke Co., 3rd Place - $100 prize

*All cash prizes are funded by State Farm.

“We are proud of these school clubs and youth groups for taking the lead in encouraging young drivers and passengers in their communities to buckle up, slow down and drive safely during this high-risk period,” said Mary King, YOVASO program manager, in a release. "With the high percentage of speed-related and unrestrained teen fatalities across the state, it is especially important for everyone get involved in reminding teens to make good decisions when driving or riding as a passenger. Our challenge now is to increase these safe driving messages and activities as we head into summer break and the 100 critical days of summer.”

In 2023, 5een drivers (age-15-18) were involved in 81 fatal crashes, 72 percent of which were speed related, according to Virginia DMV data. In the same year, 53 teens in Virginia died in vehicle crashes and 47 percent of all teen killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.