Drive for Change:
Buckle Up and Slow Down Project

Always Buckle Up and Slow Down.

Registration is now open open for the 2024 Drive for Change: Buckle Up and Slow Down Project! Drive for Change is a driver and passenger safety initiative provided by YOVASO in partnership with the Virginia State Police (VSP) and with sponsorship from State Farm and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Drive for Change is offered to all high schools, middle schools, and youth groups across the commonwealth and addresses both seat belt use and speed-prevention. According to data from the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office,  47% of teens killed in crashes in Virginia, in 2023, were unrestrained. Additionally, 72% of fatal crashes involving a teen driver were speed-related.

Schools and youth groups may participate in the Drive for Change: Buckle Up and Slow Down Project anytime September 16 – November 15, 2024.  The project timeframe gives everyone plenty of time to plan and complete activities at their own pace. Drive for Change also includes a Halloween component to remind all youth and teens to make good choices and celebrate safely during the celebratory weekend.

School and youth groups that participate receive free educational and incentive materials on seat belt safety and speed prevention. Although the project is a statewide competition for prizes, schools and youth groups may elect to participate without competing. All levels of participation are encouraged and even the simplest of activities help YOVASO reach and impact young lives!

For more information on the 2024 project, refer to the Letter to High School Partners or Letter to Middle School Partners. To learn more about the project and resources provided by YOVASO. Download the appropriate files below.

High School-Age Resources: Project Guide   |   Project Toolkit

Middle School-Age Resources: Project Guide   |   Project Toolkit

Register for YOVASO's Fall Project and Free Materials!

High School and Youth Group Registration Form
Middle School and Youth Group Registration Form

Project Resources:

High School-Age Materials: Poster | Banner | Buckle Up Reminder Card  |  Mandala Activity Sheet 1  |  Mandala Activity Sheet 2

Middle School-Age Materials: Poster | Banner | Buckle Up Reminder Card

Halloween Campaign Materials: High School Poster  |  Middle School Poster  |  Activity Book  |  PowerPoint Preview

*Note: It may take several moments for the files to download due to their large size.

Project Reporting:

Competing and non-competing schools and youth groups are required to submit a Final Evaluation to YOVASO. Without your Final Evaluation and Activity Checklist, we cannot evaluate the effectiveness of the project which is a requirement for reapplying for future project funds. Thank you in advance for submitting this documentation to us!

In addition to the Final Evaluation, competing schools and youth groups must complete and submit Pre and Post Seat Belt Check Results. Links to all reporting are below.

*All reporting is due by November 22, 2024 at 5:00pm.

Parent Resources:

High School-Age Resources (Downloadable): Parent Talking Points | Parent-Teen Driving Agreement

Middle School-Age Resources (Downloadable): Parent Talking Points | Parent-Youth Passenger Agreement

For additional resources to help your teen be a safe driver, check out State Farm’s collection of articles. State Farm also offers a variety of discounts for young drivers.

Questions?

Contact the project coordinator, Casey Taylor by phone at 540.739.4392 or by email at casey.taylor@vsp.virginia.gov.

A Sneak Peek at Past Project Fun and Creativity:
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