Bristol proclaims Oct. 19–25 National Teen Driving Safety Week

At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Bristol Virginia City Council unanimously approved a proclamation designating Oct. 19–25, 2025 as National Teen Driving Safety Week and urging the community to promote seat-belt use and safe driving practices among young drivers.

The proclamation, read by staff during the meeting, cited national and state crash statistics and named local partners including Appalachian Promise Alliance and Buckle Up Appalachia. The proclamation text referenced a 2023 national count of 3,048 teenagers ages 13–19 who died from crash injuries and noted the role of parents, educators, law enforcement and community leaders in reducing teen fatalities.

Margaret Friar Robin, identified at the meeting as senior program coordinator for Buckle Up Appalachia and a board member of YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety), accepted the proclamation and spoke to council members and the public. She said Virginia recorded 53 teen deaths and 5,638 teen injuries in 2023 and noted that 47% of the teens killed that year were unrestrained. "We must slow down. We must buckle up every single time. We must put the phone down," Friar Robin said.

Council members thanked the local partners and law enforcement for their work and presented the proclamation to representatives from Buckle Up Appalachia and local police. Chief Ashbrook joined the presentation at the dais.

The council approved the proclamation by roll call vote without debate. The proclamation asks citizens to join awareness efforts during the week and cites cooperation among local law enforcement, schools and community organizations as essential to reducing teen crash injuries and deaths.