New Year’s Resolution #1: Put the X in InTXTicated

By Richard Birt, Ohio SADD director

Let’s all make a New Year’s resolution not to text while driving. Even though Ohio teens know it’s dangerous, many of them do it anyway. Ohio SADD calls this “InTXTication” and invites you to join our effort to prevent teens from taking this deadly risk.   

 

An online survey of drivers ages 16 - 19 found that 86% had driven while distracted even though 84% know it’s dangerous.  (2010, AAA and Seventeen Magazine)

 

Don’t lie to yourself.  There is NO WAY you can safely text and drive at the same time.  You’re putting yourself at risk – as well as your passengers and other people using the road with you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association published a list of grim facts about texting and driving at www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org/#facts.  If you don’t want to hit the link, here are few of the facts that should get you to park your phone while driving:

FACT: The under-20 age group has the greatest proportion of distracted drivers.

Distracted driving caused 16% of fatal crashes in this age group.

FACT: A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting

driver.

FACT:  In the five seconds your eyes are off the road when texting and driving at 55

mph, your car covers the length of a football field.

If you’re a teen or care about a teen driver, get smart. Better yet, join Ohio SADD and help spread the word that texting while driving causes crashes and ruins lives and teen drivers are especially dangerous.

Joining OhioSADD is free and we provide information you can use – just check out our new poster (link) and website (link) for programs, materials and ideas you can use at your school or in your neighborhood. New Ohio SADD members can also get skull t-shirt (while supplies last).  Just send me an email to get started rbirt@sadd.org.

Don’t forget! Register now to attend the Ohio SADD Columbus Prevention Convention

Ohio SADD will host an exciting day of workshops and speakers from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Nationwide Arena. This is a great opportunity for students to get training in traffic safety campaigns and materials. Schools can register by sending me an email at rbirt@sadd.org.

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Local Teens Star in Ohio SADD TV Ads

By Richard Birt, Ohio SADD director

Six Ohio teen drivers are starring in new television ad on behalf of Ohio SADD. The 30-second ad will air on cable programs in 33 Ohio counties in February. The PSA depicts teens sharing their reactions to a student crash and their commitment to driving without distractions.

Props go Ohio SADD members:

·          Haygan Blain, Springfield

·          Harmonie Coleman, New Carlisle

·          Mickaela Dean, New Carlisle

·          Jason Demeter, Springfield

·          Ashley Rispoli, Lancaster

·          Mason Stalder, New Carlisle

These talented Ohio SADD members spent a day of shooting in front of a green screen at MurphyEpson, agency for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), ad sponsor.

The 15-, 30- and 60-second versions of the ad will be posted on YouTube once the ad airs.

 The heart of the message:

  “Car crashes are the number one killer of Ohio teens like us. Alcohol, speeding and distracted driving can all cause fatal crashes. The good news is… teens are the key to preventing crashes from happening.

When you get in the driver’s seat, will you take responsibility for you and your friends’ safety? Will you make everyone buckle up?  Will you park your phone?"

Ohio SADD thanks ODOT, MurphyEpson, Take3Studios and PSA Producer Chris Martin for doing an awesome job of bringing the teen driver safety message “You are the key to preventing crashes” to teens across the state.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Don’t forget! Register now to attend Ohio SADD's Columbus Prevention Convention, April 12

Ohio SADD will host an exciting day of workshops and speakers from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Nationwide Arena. This is a great opportunity for students to get training in traffic safety campaigns and materials. Schools can register by sending me an email at rbirt@sadd.org.

Sign-up to continue receiving blog updates via email.

Sneak Peak at New Ohio SADD Program Branding

By Richard Birt, Ohio SADD director

Happy New Year! Ohio SADD is stepping off our new blog by introducing our rebranded and expanded marketing communications campaign. In 2013, Ohio SADD’s 300 chapters are redoubling our efforts to help teens make smart decisions behind the wheel. 

In addition to our ongoing partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODP), Ohio SADD has teamed with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to rebrand its “UR the Key Shape the Future” and “PROMise a Safe Summer” campaign graphics and materials.

ODOT’s support has enabled us to develop a new, multi-dimensional communications program that includes new logos and collateral materials, a more interactive website and social media presence, and public service announcements (PSAs) that encourage teen drivers to see themselves as “the key” to preventing crashes.  

The colorful, bold graphics were created by ODOT’s agency MurphyEpson and feature a hand-drawn look and casual alignment in keeping with other popular youth brands

What do you think?  Just leave a comment below. New graphics and materials will be rolled out to SADD members and advisors at statewide Ohio SADD Prevention Convention events in 2013.  

State agency support has moved our resources from bland to BAM! We are so excited about what we are doing with these resources to accomplish the missions of ODOT, ODP and Ohio SADD – helping keep teen drivers safe. 

Register now to attend the Ohio SADD Columbus Prevention Convention
Ohio SADD will host an exciting day of workshops and speakers from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Nationwide Arena. This is a great opportunity for students to get training in traffic safety campaigns and materials. Schools can register by sending me an email at rbirt@sadd.org.

Sign-up to continue receiving blog updates via email. If you’d like to blog (300 words or less) about teen driving topics in this forum, just send me your thoughts at rbirt@sadd.org.