Young Driver and Parent Education

1
T
he Inova Regional Trauma Center (IRTC) is
Northern Virginias only level 1
(highest level) trauma center for both adults and
children. The IRTC is also the only trauma center
in Virginia verified by the American College of
Surgeons. Based at Inova Fairfax
Hospital/Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children,
IRTC specialists provide rapid response to all
trauma patients, around the clock. The IRTC
admits over 4,000 pediatric and adult trauma
patients each year. Trauma is the most serious
and preventable of all health problems. It is
the third leading cause of death in the United
States. The IRTC and Inova Health System are
proud to be the leaders in efforts in injury
prevention and control that enhance the quality
of life and health in our community.
What participants say about Reality Check. We
truly enjoyed the program and found it to be
valuable in future driving decisions! STUDENT,
HERNDON HIGH SCHOOL It opens your eyes. You
think, Wow, this is really big. This is really
what can happen. CHRISTIE, ROBINSON HIGH
SCHOOL I never really thought about wearing a
seat belt for a five minute trip. I didnt
know accidents could happen so close to
home. 15-YEAR OLD STUDENT
Young Driver and Parent Education Program
A COLLABORATION OF

• Inova Regional Trauma Center
• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Drivers Education Program
• Fairfax County and Fairfax City
• Fire and Rescue Departments

Inova Fairfax Hospital 3300 Gallows Road Falls
Church, VA 22042
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Reality Check Program Reality Check is a unique
program developed by the Inova Regional Trauma
Center that promotes safety and education for
young drivers and their parents. Each year in our
community, approximately 10,000 public high
school students take some form of drivers
education. In its safe driver, injury prevention
program, Reality Check targets young drivers to
reduce teenage driving under the influence (DUI),
distracted, and reckless driving, while helping
their parents learn to be good mentors and
driving coaches. Eligibility This two-hour
program is designed for newly licensed teenage
drivers, those who will soon become licensed to
drive, and their parents. The students will be
selected on a first come, first served basis.
Prior to beginning the program, all students are
required to take an attitudinal survey concerning
safe driving decisions.
Program Components Student Program 1.
Educational Program Students view a slideshow
presentation of car crashes and learn about
injury facts and risk behavior from a Level 1
Trauma Center surgeon. 2. Trauma Unit Visit The
students witness a mock code yellow
resuscitation. The trauma surgeon explains what
the medical team does when a crash victim comes
through the Emergency Room doors. Doctors, ER
nurses, radiology technicians, respiratory
therapists and fire and rescue representatives
answer questions. 3. EMS Unit Visit Students
receive a tour of an ambulance unit and a fire
and rescue representative explains their
involvement in a crash. 4. Survivor
Presentation Recent crash survivors discuss
their trauma and recovery. 5. Evaluation/Research
Attitudinal questionnaires assessing the goals
of the program are given to participating
students and a control group the week before the
program. Post-tests will be given immediately
following the program to determine the
effectiveness of the program.

• For more information or to find out upcoming
  Reality Check program dates, please call
  703-776-3259 or e-mail ashley.elzein_at_inova.org.
  
• To register your child for the program, please
  provide the following information when you call
  or e-mail
• Name of student attending
• Age of student attending
• Grade level of student attending
• School name of student attending
• Parents home address
• Parents home phone number
• Parents e-mail address
• Name(s) of parent(s) who will be attending (up
  to 2 parents per student registered)

Program Components Parent Program

• The parent program is held simultaneously during
  the student program. During this program,
  parents will learn
• How to be effective role models to their

teen drivers

• How to coach and teach their teen drivers
• How to talk to their teens about decision-

making and difficult subjects related to
driving safety

• How to implement a parent-teen driving

safety contract