Drive Change, Lead the Way!

• Application 
  
• Mid-Term Update – due by March 15, 2027
  
• Final Update – due by May 1, 2027

Promoting your project is vital to spreading the word about your campaign and increasing its impact. Use these tools to share your campaign with your school and community. 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, use the Sponsorship Templates in the Raise Support for Your Campaign section to connect with local businesses. Lastly, please remember that each participating student and faculty member must have a signed Photo and Video Release Form.

• • • 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

Need extra help covering costs or connecting with local businesses? Use these sponsorship tools to build community support for your project.

• Tips for Sponsorship Requests
• Email Template to Send With Sponsor Letter
• Student Sponsorship Letter Template
• Teacher Sponsorship Letter Template
• Thank you Email Template

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.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.

Teen Safe Driving Infographic

Distracted Driving Infographic

Cell Phone Risks

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.

Student Survey Report 2024-25

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.