Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying The Survivors

Every day, more than 15 people die in crashes associated with teen drivers.* Have you been affected?

The HEARTS Network is a community of individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by  motor vehicle crashes involving teen drivers. It is a voice for victims, a forum for survivors and a catalyst for improved teen driver safety.

Anyone who has lost a loved one, suffered an injury or been otherwise affected by a crash involving a teen driver is invited to join the network, share their story and help prevent future loss.

Together, we can lower the risk of teen driving.

In 2009, crashes involving teen drivers killed more than 5,600 people.* The lost lives include our young drivers, their passengers and occupants of other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Teen drivers bring to the road a unique mix of inexperience, distraction, peer pressure and a tendency to underestimate risk. But measures such as Graduated Driver Licensing can reduce teen drivers’ high crash risk.

Through the HEARTS Network, the National Safety Council is sharing the stories behind the statistics to raise awareness, change behaviors and make our roads safer.

Your story is personal. And powerful.

Individually and collectively, our stories can help teens, parents, communities and key decision makers understand the need to improve teen driver safety.

Members of the HEARTS Network have opportunities to:

• Connect with other survivors
• Share their stories of teen driver-involved crashes
• Educate communities and influencers about the lifelong impact these tragedies have on families
• Give a human dimension to research and statistics
• Mobilize their communities in support of efforts that will keep teens and others safe on our nation’s roads

Whether you want to share your story privately or publicly, serve as a local or national spokesperson on the issue of teen driving, write or speak to decision makers or the media – it’s your choice. You have no obligation. Your very participation in the network says your life has been changed and that teen driving behaviors need to change, too.

Join the HEARTS network

Download the HEARTS brochure to share with others

El folleto HEARTS en Español

* National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Fatalities in Crashes Involving a Young Driver (Ages 15-20) by State and Fatality Type, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2009 (ARF).