


Drive Change, Lead the Way!
16th Annual Champion Schools Program
Where NJ Students Create Safer Roads through Innovation and Advocacy

Let’s Get Started!
Tools for Schools: To help you become a Champion School for safe teen driving, look to the right for a collection of content, tools, and resources. Looking for something else? Contact Us »
Exciting News! For the second year, three under-resourced schools will be chosen to receive a professional PSA created by the National Road Safety Foundation—an opportunity you can also use toward your project!
About Our Program: This video providing an overview of the Champion Schools Program was created by the Lenape Regional High School District.
Use the following links to learn more about the Champion Schools Program and your roles and responsibilities as a participating school.
- Application
- Mid-Term Update – due by March 15, 2026
- Final Update – due by May 1, 2026
Promoting your project is vital to spreading the word about your campaign and increasing its impact. Review the Media Tip Sheet and use the Fillable Press Release to send to local and state newspapers for an article about your project. Also, please remember that each participating student and faculty member must have a signed Photo and Video Release Form. Teams will be required to bring their signed release forms with them at the Awards Showcase.
-
-
- Media Tip Sheet
- Fillable Press Release
- Sponsors Logos – please add the logos on this page to any materials you create as a way to thank our sponsors.
- Photo Video Release Form
- JerseyDrives Monthly Social Media Campaign
-
Below are resources to help you get started with your project. Please use local, state, and national resources as you see fit for your campaign.
- www.bianj.org
- https://www.njm.com/teen-driver-safety
- www.njoag.gov
- www.nhtsa.gov
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
- bestreetsmartnj.org
- www.ghsa.org
- njbwc.org
- njbikeped.org
- https://highways.dot.gov/
- nj.gov/njsp/info/fatalacc
- https://madd.org/
- www.arrivealive.co.za
- https://www.safekids.org/
- https://www.sadd.org/
- https://www.impactteendrivers.org/
- https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/teen-driver-safety/
- https://www.nsc.org/road/resources/
- https://nikhilbadlanifoundation.org/
- https://www.nrsf.org/passport-safe-driving
- https://www.iihs.org/
- https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/risk-factors/index.html
- https://flteensafedriver.org/
- https://safeteendriving.org/resources/yovaso
- https://www.noys.org/
- https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/ways-to-help-your-teen-driver-stay-safe
- https://wesavelives.org/
Use the information in your campaigns and/or share these infographics on social media sites.
In order to enhance the U Got Brains Champion Schools Program, we’ve implemented an evaluation component developed by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Research Institute. Schools will be asked to participate in this online evaluation at the end of the program.
Faculty Advisor Survey Report 2024-25
The Champion Schools Program has been evaluated by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and has proved to not only increase awareness and education about safe driving, but most importantly, change driving behavior.
The following is a summary of the key findings of the program:
Summary of Findings
As a result of the program, students reported engaging in safer driving behaviors and noticed their peers modeling responsible habits such as staying focused on the road, reducing speeding, wearing seatbelts, and complying with GDL laws. Students also felt greater social pressure from friends to drive and ride safely, which reinforced a stronger safe driving culture within their schools and communities. Faculty advisors observed that the program gave students meaningful leadership opportunities, built teamwork and creativity, and helped raise awareness throughout the school and beyond.
Overall engagement with the program was strong. Most schools had student teams that met regularly, and when programs “clicked,” students were enthusiastic, stakeholders (administrators, parents, community partners, and advisors) were supportive, and the campaigns proved both fun and impactful.
Key Individual Report Findings
ADVISORS
Overall, advisors were very pleased with their experience and noted several strengths of the program, including:
- Increased awareness of teen driving safety across their school and community.
- The value of the program’s peer-to-peer, student-driven model.
- The importance of stipends and resources in supporting innovative projects.
- Strong support from BIANJ staff and technical assistance.
Challenges included time constraints, scheduling conflicts, and sustaining student involvement, though returning schools found the process smoother than new participants.
TEAM MEMBERS / STUDENTS
Student team members reported:
- Increased awareness of teen driving safety at both the school and community level.
- Greater pride in advocating for traffic safety and helping others.
- Fun and meaningful opportunities to learn about and apply GDL laws.
- Opportunities to lead, work collaboratively, and make a positive difference.
- Positive reinforcement from peers, community, and school leaders.
- Exercising safer driving and riding behaviors as a result of their participation.
Changes in Students’ Driving/Passenger Behaviors
Students reported measurable improvements in safe driving habits:
- Phone use while driving: Frequent use dropped sharply; 74% now rarely or never use their phone while driving.
- Driving focus: Always keeping eyes on the road rose from 9% to 75%.
- Speeding: Those who often or always speed dropped from 54% to 32%.
- Seatbelt use: Drivers reporting “always” wearing seatbelts increased from 80% to 89%; passengers from 65% to 87%.
- Pedestrian safety: Stopping for pedestrians rose from 77% to 90%; safe walking practices improved from 58% to 78%.
- Cannabis use while driving: 97% of students strongly rejected cannabis-impaired driving, and nearly all (98%) reported never driving after use.
Changes in Students’ Awareness of Teen Driving Safety
Students reported stronger peer-to-peer influence, a positive shift in school culture, and a broader community recognition of teen driving safety.
As we move forward with this program to help reduce driving injuries and fatalities among teens in New Jersey, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey will continue to refine the Champion Schools Program in partnership with the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety and corporate sponsors. Together, we remain committed to empowering students to become leaders in road safety and to fostering lasting change in driving behaviors across the state.
200
Schools
21
Counties
1 Million
Students involved
Recap: 15th Annual Champion Schools Program — and Get Ready for Year 16!
The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey proudly celebrated the 15th anniversary of its U Got Brains Champion Schools Program, empowering New Jersey teens to take the lead in promoting safe driving, biking and walking behaviors.
This year, students and staff from high schools across the state created peer-to-peer campaigns on key teen driving safety topics. Participating schools received cash stipends and technical support, while advisors earned professional development hours. The top three schools were awarded cash prizes from NJM Insurance Group for their outstanding work.
The year concluded with the Annual Showcase on May 22, 2025, celebrating student-led efforts that highlighted the power of youth voice and leadership in making a difference.
As we look ahead to Year 16, we invite schools across New Jersey to join this exciting movement. Whether you’re a returning Champion or new to the program, now’s the time to step up, speak out, and help shape the future of safe teen driving.
Be a part of something bigger. Be a leader. Be a Champion.
Click the orange dots to view our 2024-25 Winning Projects!
2024-25 Winner: Stay Alert, Stay Alive: Because Community Knows No Borders
Matawan Regional High School, a longtime Champion Schools Program participant, earned Grand Prize Winner for their impactful “Stay Alert, Stay Alive: Because Community Knows No Borders” campaign. Sparked by a local tragedy, the project addressed impaired and distracted driving through education, advocacy, and creative outreach. Students extended their efforts to Howell, NJ, where their petition and data presentation led to new speed enforcement and over 200 traffic stops. Their campaign also included emotional assemblies, a Serenity Rock Garden memorial, and collaboration with local leaders. With student-led media, strong partnerships, and data-driven advocacy, the team reached 5,000 students and 380+ residents, Matawan Regional created a lasting impact on traffic safety and community awareness.
2024-25 Winner: Click-Clack Front and Back
Indian Hills High School returned as a Grand Prize Winner with their continued “Click-Clack Front and Back” campaign. This year’s project focused on legislative advocacy to make rear seatbelt use a primary offense in New Jersey, building on momentum for Bills S2125/A433. Students traveled to Trenton, met with state legislators, and secured new co-sponsors, reinforcing their commitment to statewide change. They also expanded their focus to include distracted driving, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and cannabis-impaired driving, reaching over 700 students through assemblies, PSAs, simulations, and creative schoolwide events. With strong community partnerships, student leadership, and data-driven impact, Indian Hills continues to drive meaningful traffic safety change.
2024-25 Winner: Pway You Know, Drive Safe—Drive Slow!
In their first year participating in the Champion Schools Program, Piscataway High School earned Grand Prize Winner for their first-year SADD campaign, “Pway You Know, Drive Safe—Drive Slow!”—a creative, community-rooted effort focused on reducing speeding. In partnership with the Piscataway Police Safe Streets team, students used local data to shape messaging and outreach, including schoolwide announcements, lawn signs, social media, town hall presentations, and community events including a Chalk the Walk event. They hosted assemblies, field trips, and hands-on simulations to show the real-life impact of risky driving. With bold branding tied to school spirit, strong teamwork, and cross-club collaboration, Piscataway’s campaign reached 2,300 students and resonated across the community to lay a powerful foundation for ongoing change.
Become A Champion Schools Sponsor
The U Got Brains Champion Schools Program would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. In addition to a grant provided by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, we have partnered with other organizations that share our commitment to keeping new drivers safe on the roadways.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for our 2025-2026 U Got Brains Champion Schools Program. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this innovative program.