NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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Strive for a Safer Drive (S4SD) is a teen driving initiative aimed at reducing serious traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities among Michigan's most inexperienced drivers - teens. All Michigan High Schools are eligible to apply.
In 2021, there were 483,132 licensed drivers aged 15 to 20, which represented 6.7 percent of all Michigan drivers. However, that same age group had 103 traffic fatalities, accounting for 9.1 percent of all traffic deaths in Michigan. Inexperience and risk-taking behavior are the primary factors contributing to teen-driver fatalities.
In its 12th year, S4SD is a public-private partnership between Ford Motor Company Fund’s Driving Skills for Life program and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). The program encourages teens to talk with their peers and their communities about making safe-driving choices.
S4SD has had the privilege of working with 185 different high schools throughout the state of Michigan. Any Michigan high school was eligible and encouraged to apply. This year, the program is honored to partner with 36 high schools for the 2022-2023 academic year.
As part of S4SD, each school receives $1,000, which students use to create a teen-led campaign that will educate their classmates and community about various traffic safety topics, including speeding, seat belts, pedestrian, bicyclist and passenger safety and impaired, distracted, nighttime and winter driving.
Schools will submit videos or PowerPoint presentations outlining their campaigns. The top-five schools judged to have winning campaigns will receive cash prizes ranging from $500 to $1,500. Final projects are due April 14, and winning schools will be announced in April 2023.
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