To promote awareness about driving safety, every year the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) launches their “No Empty Chair Campaign.” The campaign takes place during a time of the year when the school session is almost at a close and when young drivers are most often behind the wheel. Teen drivers look towards the end of the school year to celebrate with prom and graduation events. To reduce the number of driving incidences, the campaign is timed in advance of these events teens so the message is reinforced and its importance sticks with motorists.

The hope is that the campaign will prevent crashes in which young drivers are impaired and distracted. State and local law enforcement agencies will play their part by targeting specific infractions like speeding in school zones, cell phone usage and texting while operating a motor vehicle, and underage drinking during the dates of Monday, April 22nd through Friday, April 26th.

The campaign poster has a poignant tagline that should make every young driver pause and reflect. The tagline is: “Be in your chair on graduation day.“