FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week
October 19-25, 2025
Drive Safe Hampton Roads Launches Teen Seat Belt Challenge
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Hampton Roads, VA – October 1, 2025: National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 19-25, 2025. During this time, Drive Safe Hampton Roads reminds parents and teen drivers that safe driving is a habit that must be learned and practiced.
One of the most important habits for all drivers and passengers is to buckle up – every seat, every trip.
Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds in the United States. In Virginia, teen drivers (15-19 years old) represented 38 of the 918 fatalities in 2024. This is an increase of 18.8% over 2023. Of those 38 fatalities, 27 were unrestrained. (DMV-2024 Annual Crash Facts ACF). “This is unacceptable,” said Holly Dalby, Occupant Protection Chair for Drive Safe Hampton Roads. “Seat belt use proves to reduce injuries and fatalities, and we must reinforce this fundamental driving habit from the earliest age.”
To aid in this effort, Drive Safe Hampton Roads works with Hampton Roads high schools to increase seat belt use among teens through the Get It Together High School Seat Belt Challenge. Students work with school administrators and Drive Safe Hampton Roads volunteers to educate and reinforce buckling up to their peers and school personnel. Through a series of projects, activities, and observational seat belt checks, high schools are challenged to increase overall seat belt use. Schools that increase seat belt usage by the end of the Get It Together Challenge are recognized for their accomplishments at an awards ceremony.
“The Get It Together High School Seat Belt Challenge has made a difference in Hampton Roads for over 20 years,” said Holly Dalby. “Over this time, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has collaborated with partners such as AAA Tidewater Virginia, State Farm, Christopher King Foundation, Farmers Insurance, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to promote traffic safety initiatives focused on teen drivers.” Dalby emphasized the ongoing dedication of Drive Safe Hampton Roads and its partner high schools to reduce teen driver injuries and fatalities. “We continue to invest in teen traffic safety with the ultimate goal of achieving 100% seat belt use among all teens in our region,” she stated.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is a non-profit regional coalition whose mission is to improve roadway safety and reduce death and injury from vehicle crashes using initiatives that include educational programs, information sharing, and partnerships with public and private sector organizations. For over 37 years, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has been dedicated to preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the region’s roadways. DSHR is the oldest, continuous traffic safety coalition in the Commonwealth. For more information: www.drivesafehr.org or call (757) 498-2562.
Media Contact:
Georjeane L. Blumling
Occupant Protection/Admin. Coordinator
Drive Safe Hampton Roads
Email: [email protected]
Voice Mail: 757-498-2562