National Organizations for Youth Safety
From Fall 1995Volume II, Number 3
In February 1994, NHTSA convened a meeting to discuss collaboration among
national organizations interested in the safety of young people. This process
led to the creation of the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS)
in June 1994. The group includes professional and youth representatives
from over 30 national organizations and federal agencies, including the
American Automobile Association, the Boy Scouts, the Future Farmers of America,
the Indian Health Services, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, SAFE KIDS, the
PTA, and the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. NOYS members are
committed to sponsoring national youth safety events and activities; sharing
resources, information, and ideas; facilitating collaborative efforts at
the state and local levels; and advocating for responsible public policy
on youth safety issues.
NOYS's first major project was Strides for Safety, which was funded by NHTSA
and CSAP and coordinated by Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). Strides
for Safety is an annual national event that includes activities designed
to promote highway safety and reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drugs
among young people. Events were held in 24 states during April 1995, the
first Strides for Safety Month. Some states focused on a single event, while
others held multiple events. In Hawaii, over 550 students attended a rally
and concert. Massachusetts, Georgia, New York, and several other states
held walkathons that raised money for SADD and other organizations. Connecticut's
Strides for Safety campaign was instrumental in the passing of an important
piece of DWI prevention legislation (see Connecticut
Strides Toward Zero Tolerance).
State teams are now forming for the next Strides for Safety Month (April
1996). For more information contact Renee Thompson, Strides for Safety National
Coordinator, 2428 Gravelly Beach Loop, Olympia, WA 98508. Phone (360) 866-1471.
For information on NOYS contact Beth Portis at NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street,
S.W., NTS-11, Washington, DC 20590. Phone (202) 366-2705.
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