A peer to peer approach to traffic safety youth programs: Riverside County, CA

To empower youth and reduce motor vehicle fatalities, Riverside County, CA Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Services (RCIPS) developed the YOU LOSE theatrical play. “You Lose” consists of 5 scenes addressing reckless or impaired driving. The play is taken to high schools and youth from each site perform for their peers. Due to the inclusion of peer education, RCIPS was allowed access to a hard to reach population. With the success of “YOU LOSE”, RCIPS wanted to further encourage youth motivated traffic safety activities and coordinated the first ever Inland Empire Traffic Safety Youth Summit. Youth from both Riverside and neighboring San Bernardino counties attended workshops that included instruction on developing a public awareness campaign conducted by local media professionals, statistical data demonstrating causes of motor vehicle crashes for youth, and presentations by MADD and Think First. To conclude the event, youth were placed in groups and created a traffic safety presentation. Each group performed in front of the audience while media professionals judged. Winning presentations aired on radio and television stations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Using the work created by the teens, a video was developed and sent to schools throughout Riverside County. By partnering with and empowering teens, RCIPS continues to be successful in a cross-generational approach to an innovative injury prevention program.