Every three days a teen is killed and seven are injured in a work zone crash in this country according to NETS, The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety. This could be you, if you drive carelessly through a highway work zone. They are considered the most hazardous place for workers in the U.S., but they can be even more dangerous for drivers – particularly young, inexperienced ones. Statistics show that drivers comprise four out of five deaths in highway work zones.

Click here to learn about a tragic work zone crash involving Tennessee teenager Dustin Fraher. Read the video script. The Missouri Department of Transportation has shared a powerful message about Work Zone safety. Click here to view their message. The Tennessee Department of Safety has produced a moving video about Tennessee's "Move Over" law. Click here to check it out.

Teen drivers have higher rates of fatal crash involvement than any other age group. Studies show young drivers are more likely to be involved in work zone crashes than others, as they are more likely to take risks, be distracted, or be nervous while driving.

Between the Barrels is a safety education program offered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation that is geared toward sophomores and juniors in high school; students who are just learning or thinking about learning to drive. The program includes a high-tech, interactive presentation provided to Tennessee high schools at no cost in order to reduce the chances of young drivers being involved in dangerous work zone accidents. Click here to learn how to bring Between the Barrels to your school.

Why bring Between the Barrels to your school?
Because when it comes to driving, there is no such thing as beginners’ luck. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. Work zones contribute to this by causing confusion and resulting in hazardous driving, putting the driver, passengers, and work zone personnel at risk.

In 2006, approximately 279 16-17 yr old drivers were involved in work zone crashes in Tennessee.

In 2007, of the 1,210 traffic fatalities in Tennessee, 53 were 16 or 17 years old. (16 yr old = 21 fatalities, 17 yr old = 32 fatalities)

In 2007, 143 teenagers ages 16-19 were killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. In most cases, the teen was the driver.

Since 2003, traffic crashes occurring in work zones in Tennessee have decreased by 46%, from 5,779 in 2003 to 3,108 in 2007.

A number of national agencies have identified youth highway safety as an important target area for reducing the number of lives lost on our nation’s highways, including the National Transportation Safety Board which lists the Promotion of Youth Highway Safety as one of the top ten most wanted transportation safety improvement issues for 2007.

Also, recent research concludes that this age category is most likely to become involved in work zone accidents because they are more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, exercise negative driving habits, easily distracted while driving, and lack the basic driving skills needed to respond quickly to work zone demands.

How can I participate in Between the Barrels?

• Request a Between the Barrels presentation for your high school, whether you are a student, parent or teacher. Between the Barrels materials also can be supplied to high schools that wish to educate their students without a formal TDOT presentation. Click here to learn how to bring Between the Barrels to your school.  
   

• Ask your teen driver to sign a family driving contract, restricting cell phone usage while driving and the number of other teen passengers to eliminate distractions. See links for contracts under "For Parents" on this site.
   

• Be a responsible driver and follow our key safety tips.
  
  

• Teens may also visit the Between the Barrels Project Orange Facebook and MySpace pages and become a fan or add us as a friend (Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Nashville-TN/Between-the-Barrels/111080125513?ref=mf; MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/betweenthebarrels).