Youth and young adults are killed in road crashes at a higher rate than any other age group under 75 years old. With road crashes being the third-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 years old, this age demographic has the highest rate of involvement in fatal collisions per 100,000 licensed drivers. 

National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) is an annual youth-led awareness week designed to build public awareness of teen driver safety issues and encourage young people to spearhead solutions that will improve road safety for all. Parachute will run NTDSW from October 15 to October 21, 2023, focusing on youth as changemakers.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #OurFutureRoads and #NTDSW2023

Who should use this guide?

This guide is for all youth and community leaders and partners who use social media tools, or online communication media in a professional capacity; including, but not limited to the following: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or blogs.

Follow our lead

Throughout the month of October, including NTDSW Oct. 15 to 21, 2023, Parachute will be active on all our social media platforms promoting NTDSW messaging. Follow us and feel free to comment, share, like, and repost our content. We’ll make sure to do the same with as many of our partners as possible.

X (formerly Twitter): www.twitter.com/parachutecanada   

Facebook: www.facebook.com/parachutecanada

Instagram: www.instagram.com/parachutecanada

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parachutecanada

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parachutecanada

Use hashtags 

Hashtags are the best way to track the activity across social media platforms. We encourage the use of the following hashtags in all social media channels to help us gain momentum, as we build a community of support. Feel free to supplement with your own hashtag as well. 

Primary Hashtag: #OurFutureRoads

Additional Hashtag: #NTDSW2023

When you should start posting

Whenever you like! Posting about NTDSW helps us boost the number of people we reach, raising awareness about the campaign ahead of October 15. 

What you should share 

Our NTDSW resources on our website will have plenty of information about our campaign, and it’s a great link to share on social media. Here’s the direct link to our 2023 resources: parachute.ca/ntdsw.

Sample social media posts

Below are sample posts you can use as posts on X (formerly Twitter) or as posts on other social media channels. You’re also welcome and encouraged to come up with your own posts and messages that make sense for your organization and your community! Please note that posts on X can only be 280 characters in length (including links).

We have images we encourage you to use, which can be downloaded as a folder from parachute.ca/ntdsw-images.

Starting now

  • October 15 to 21 is National Teen Driver Safety Week! Join the conversation on social media, using the hashtags #OurFutureRoads #NTDSW2023 parachute.ca/ntdsw  
  • October 15 to 21is National Teen Driver Safety Week! Remind teens that they have the power to influence #OurFutureRoads parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023
  • Oct. 15 to 21! #OurFutureRoads resources are available for communities & schools at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023

Starting Oct. 15 (First day of National Teen Driver Safety Week)

Posts about youth engagement and advocacy

  • Road crashes are the third-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 years old. Learn more about how to engage with road safety issues at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Young people are disproportionately impacted by injuries and deaths on our roads, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Actively contribute to the change you deserve and learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Young people have real power to influence road safety and advocate for big changes in their community to make roads safer for everyone. Learn how to get involved at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Being a responsible driver, and advocating for others to do so, can be empowering. Set the right standard and shift the culture around road safety to keep you and your friends safe. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Young people are each uniquely affected by road safety issues. Diverse youth leaders ensures that everyone’s needs are being met. Learn how to get involved at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Young voices are needed in road safety decisions that impact young people. Get involved at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Do you feel that your community needs better transportation options? Is driver education often limited or inaccessible? These are just some of the road safety concerns that young people have. Get involved at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Advocating for better biking infrastructure, speed bumps, and pedestrian-friendly crossings are a few ways that young people can make roads safer for themselves and for their community. Learn how to get involved at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • When young people have a say in what works, it can actually work. Learn more about the importance of engaging young people in decision-making spaces at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • It is important to engage youth in road safety in ways that are both authentic and meaningful, facilitating empowerment and a sense of agency. Find out how at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads 

Posts about youth driving behaviour 

  • DYK? The brain does not fully develop until the age of 25. This can lead to poor judgement and organization, planning and decision-making, and more impulsive actions on the road. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Drivers who text while driving are up to six times more likely to be involved in a crash. Eyes on the road. That message can wait. Don’t drive distracted. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Phones aren’t the only thing that can distract you when you’re driving. Other distractions include daydreaming, in-car touchscreens, eating, passengers, pets, and even putting on make-up. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Are you a parent of a teen and do you use your phone when you drive? Your kid is more likely to do what you do, and risk injury or even death. Set the right example and put down your phone. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Do you discourage unsafe driving behavior in your teen? Young people are more likely to follow the rules of the road if they believe they will get in trouble with their parents. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Your driving practices are mirrored by your children. Build safe driving behaviour in your children by setting the right example yourself. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Many young people perceive that cannabis has limited effects on driving, but teen drivers killed in a crash are more likely than any other age group to test positive for cannabis. The risk is real. Drive sober. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Many young drivers believe that driving under the influence of cannabis is less risky than driving under the influence of alcohol. Impaired is impaired. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Alcohol is a factor in almost half of fatal crashes among 16- to 25-year-olds. Don’t put yourself or others at risk. Plan a safe ride home. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • In almost two out of three alcohol-related, multi-vehicle crashes, it was the young driver who was fatally injured and had been drinking alcohol. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Young people who use alcohol and other substances can do so without putting their lives and the lives of others at risk on the road with the right strategies. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads
  • Hitching a ride with a friend? Discourage unsafe driving behaviour in your peers by actively disapproving of it. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads

Posts about rail safety and distracted driving 

  • Trains are always much closer than they appear. Look, listen and be ready to stop. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads 
  • A moving train may be going faster than it seems. A train can’t avoid you, but you can avoid a train. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads 
  • Only cross railway tracks at designated crossings. Taking shortcuts and crossing anywhere else could be deadly. Learn more at parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads 
  • An average freight train weighs more than 5,500 tonnes. Compare that to a car, which weighs about 1.5 tonnes. A train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can. parachute.ca/ntdsw #NTDSW2023 #OurFutureRoads 

Youth Road Safety Grant Program

Parachute’s Youth Road Safety Grant Program is an exciting new initiative that aims to help empower young people to take action on road safety issues in their local communities. With the goal of encouraging safe driving behaviour, the grants will fund local, engaging, youth-initiated, youth-led projects that aim to educate or advocate for changes that will make roads safer for all. 

Below you can find some sample social media posts that you can use to help us spread the word about our new Youth Road Safety Grant program during this year’s NTDSW. Please note that the deadline for applications is Monday, October 9, 2023. 

  • Introducing the Youth Road Safety Grant Program, a new initiative for youth aged 15 to 24 to make a difference in their community! Win a $500 grant and a $100 honorarium to implement a project on any pressing road safety issue in your community. Visit parachute.ca/YouthRoadSafetyGrants.
  • Do you care about road safety and want to make a difference in your community? Introducing @parachutecanada’s Youth Road Safety Grant Program. Receive a $500 grant to carry out your creative and engaging road safety education & advocacy project. Visit parachute.ca/YouthRoadSafetyGrants
  • Parachute’s Youth Road Safety Grant Program helps empower young people to take action on road safety in their local communities. It funds local youth-led projects that educate young people on pressing road safety issues and safe driving behaviour. Visit parachute.ca/YouthRoadSafetyGrants

Learn more about Parachute’s Youth Road Safety Grant Program here: parachute.ca/youthroadsafetygrant

Questions? 

Please contact Parachute’s social media team by e-mailing Margarita at socialmedia@parachute.ca.

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