U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) continues its partnership with EZ Driving School in support of the Teen Drivers Outreach Project – Arrive Alive, VI. The project, funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aims to educate and encourage correct and consistent seat belt use by teen drivers and their passengers throughout the territory.

Each year, VIOHS conducts an Observational Seat Belt Survey to determine seat belt usage in the territory. When compared to the national average usage rate of 90.3%, the VI’s 2021 rate of 72.3% indicates a low culture of safety. Teenaged drivers - along with motorists with children and drivers of pickup trucks - were identified as one of the territory’s at-risk groups for seat belt compliance. Police Commissioner Ray A. Martinez noted, “We strongly embrace this partnership between the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety and a driver’s education school. It is a natural and mutually beneficial relationship which will better prepare young drivers, reduce crash risks, and increase crash survival rates for all road users.”

The project will continue to support a robust media campaign designed for teens, by teens. The initiative also aims to empower parents of teens and tweens with realistic strategies that support safe driving practices for young drivers. “Encouraging safe driving practices for teens should be a community priority. Preserving lives through the consistent and correct use of seat belts is a life-saving habit that we all must embrace,” urged VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “It is critical that parents clearly establish their expectations, through words and actions, to ensure that teens safeguard their lives on the roads

Buckle up, VI! Every trip. Everyone. Every time. For more information on Arrive Alive, VI or to learn ways to get involved in traffic safety, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Occupant Protection Planner/Coordinator Denise Gomes at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov. You may also contact the office via telephone at (340) 473-7383.