11 Young People Are Keeping Their Loved Ones Safe on the Road This Summer

With vaccinations underway and coronavirus restrictions lifted throughout the country, a lot of folks are eager to get outside and back on the road this summer. However, motor vehicle crashes continue to be one of the leading causes of death among young people. Since 2015, 43% of teen driver and passenger fatalities involved speeding, compared to 30% for all other age groups.

It also has been -- and continues to be -- a really challenging time for a lot of people, with the coronavirus pandemic taking a toll on young people’s mental health. Research shows us a link between mental health and road safety, as adolescents experiencing psychological distress, like anxiety or depression, report taking more risks on the road.

We may want to travel, visit our loved ones, and get back to some kind of normalcy this summer, but we need to do it safely. That’s why the DoSomething community is mobilizing to keep their friends and family safe on the road through the Road to Self-Care program, powered by General Motors. So far, they’ve shared over 1,000 mental health and road safety checklists to equip their loved ones with tools to keep calm and safe behind the wheel.

Here are 11 DoSomething members explaining in their own words why they’ve joined this movement at the intersection of road safety and mental health -- and why you should join them!

1) Jay, 23, Florida

"This campaign matters to me because it has directly impacted me. Since the beginning of the coronavirus, my family and I have limited ourselves to outdoors to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Since then we have experienced negative side effects having to do with road anxiety and anxiety away from the home, and I believe this to be a bigger issue that is not talked about enough. With the help of GM this scholarship will help bring more eyes to a situation that should be looked at and looked over."

2) Sagarika, 16, Florida

“This campaign is really important to me since I am passionate about road safety. Last June, one of my best friends passed while driving because someone from the opposite direction was approaching her (in the wrong lane) and the person was asleep while the car was speeding. Even though my friend was not at blame for the accident, it had a significant impact on her and her friends and family. As a result, I believe that creating checklists like these can assist people in being more conscious and mindful of their activities on the road. Furthermore, checklists are a good method to practice self-care because most people are unaware of how being stressed, exhausted, or depressed may have a significant effect on driving, and creating/sharing checklists is a great way for people to become aware of this and be more mindful of themselves and others.”

3) Roarie, 17, Montana

"Mental health has been a huge struggle for me the past few years and as a new driver I have learned how important it is to have a proper mental state before driving. The people I shared this with are either new drivers or people who suffer with a mental health condition. If this checklist can help at least one person feel safer before driving with a mental health condition that will be one less than did before."

4) Allison, 18, Georgia

“Growing up around Metro Atlanta, there is not a day where my parents, friends, or family do not see a car accident on their daily commutes. As scary as it is to think about, every time a loved one gets behind a wheel they are faced by many obstacles while driving but must make safe decisions for their own safety. As a younger teenager, I started driving at 16 and was not ready for the experience of driving because of other drivers' road rage. I felt the need to step back and place myself into more road practice to ensure I had a better mindset of the best choices to make while driving so that I and, or, my passengers would make it out to destinations safely whether it be to the High Art Museum or Lake Lanier. Now as an incoming college freshman, I can say my years of driving have helped me improve and feel safer on the road but I still care about my friends who are moving into new towns where their drives back home will be even longer. This campaign to me signifies my compassion towards my close friends, as I want them to be safe whether it be by driving at the speed limit, being cautious of switching lanes on the highway, or making smart choices when faced by road rage of other drivers around them. I feel road safety is not expressed enough to high schoolers as much as it should be so us as teenagers, are the ones who need to share this message with close friends to show them we care about them everyday.”

5) To’Miyah, 18, Maryland

“I haven’t earned my drivers license yet because my anxiety has always made me overly cautious with all matters behind the wheel. one small misstep on the road can lead to consequences ranging from minor accidents to tragedies...Many people don’t realize that when you are unwell mentally, it will start to negatively impact other aspects of your life, including your driving. Too many people die by car accidents to not make sure you are in a good place to operate a vehicle not just physically but mentally/emotionally.”

6) Sarah, 17, Washington, DC

“This campaign is important to me because I lost a friend to a car crash a couple years ago. I also have friends who have lost loved ones to car crashes. I worry so much for my family and friends, especially those I know who recklessly speed. I always tell my friends to be safe and beg them to stop speeding. I hope reading these tips and some of the links provided by the campaign that I have sent them will help to change their mind and help them be more careful on the road.”

7) DoSomething Member, 17, California

“When I was little, my parents had gone through a divorce. Unfortunately for my brother and I, we were often put in the middle of arguments, making us feel as though we had to choose between one parent or another. As children we did not have much of an escape from the hostility and high-temperament that stemmed from our parent’s relationship except by retreating to our rooms. Thus, when I turned 16 and got my driver's license, I often took to the road as an escape from having to pick and choose between my parents. I often found myself going for drives around the valley, listening to music, and admiring the city. While driving seemed to be a valuable way to decompress and clear my mind, I soon learned that driving while preoccupied with psychological stress can do more harm than good. In December of 2020, I got into my first car accident, backing into another car and hitting them straight on. This crash was, unfortunately, the result of driving after arguing with my parents. I had my music up loud, tears in my eyes and I remember trying so hard to get on the road that I was not paying attention to my surroundings. Thankfully neither of us was injured and the damage to our vehicles was minimal. Because I have experienced how driving while stressed can easily put my safety at risk as well as others, it has become ever more important for me to stay safe while behind the wheel. Thus, I feel the need to share my checklist with my parents, brother, and several friends to educate them and keep them safe as well.”

8) Julia, 18, Alberta

“Driving is the most dangerous action people do on a day-to-day basis. Stress and distractions, especially in teens, occur constantly. I’ve had my own experience where the driver that hit me was crying telling me she’s had a terrible day. If everybody could share this as much as possible, we could make the roads safer for everyone.”

9) Carolina, 20, Texas

“My dad has been in three car crashes, and thankfully survived all of them. This campaign is meaningful to me because driving is one of the most dangerous things we do on a regular basis. We trust other people on the road with our life. Raising awareness for self-care and providing guidance for drivers can help reduce the amount of motor vehicle accidents in the long run.”

10) Nicole, 18, Texas

“As a new driver, with many accidents happening in the family recently, I see it as important for people to remember what they are taught in driving school to calm down while on or to the side of the road. Nothing is more important than getting somewhere alive, and that doesn’t just mean you and the passengers in your vehicle. Both parties are important to get to their destination with no mishaps.”

11) Teka, 17, California

“As someone with mental health struggles, I connected with my friend about how they may interfere with daily life. When I saw this, I realized that this is why we barely drive or get in a vehicle, which results in barely ever seeing each other. Human connection is so important, and driving is stopping us and hindering our friendship. I've realized that caring for yourself is most important, and as we're nearing college, we need the basic functioning skills of not only keeping ourselves in-check, but being able to care for ourselves and our well-being. As we continue to heal, and continue to pay attention to our own needs, it becomes a LOT easier to connect with others and overcome small and large obstacles, such as driving and vehicles.”