Teaching adolescents safe driving and passenger behaviors: Effectiveness of the You Hold the Key Teen Driving Countermeasure

ProblemUnsafe driving and passenger behaviors place teens at increased risk for fatal and nonfatal crashes. This study evaluated the short–and long–term efficacy of the You Hold the Key (YHTK) Teen Driving Countermeasure.MethodA two–page survey was completed by high school students at pretest, posttest, and long–term (6–month) posttest.ResultsYHTK was associated with significant immediate and long–term improvements in teen seatbelt use, safe driving, and perceived confidence in preventing drunk driving. Compared to pretests, students at immediate and long–term posttest more frequently wore seatbelts when driving or riding, required passengers to wear seatbelts, and limited the number of passengers to the number of seatbelts in the vehicle. Students were more likely at both posttests to avoid drinking and driving and to say no to riding with a friend who had been drinking.SummaryYHTK was associated with increases in safe teen driving and passenger behaviors.Impact on IndustrySuccess of YHTK is most notably due to its comprehensive nature. Future programs should consider comprehensive strategies when attempting to modify teen behaviors.