Claire Chickey, Zach Knebel, Sofiya Knebel, Bridget Jones, Carly Fleming, Peyton Orban, Andrew McCluskey, Thomas Morrissey, Lauren Hansen, Ellie Dixon and Jenna Davis worked with peers from across the country to develop a national youth action plan that they brought back to Madison County to help stop distracted driving. Activities will take place throughout the school year and culminate in May during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month.

The summit included three days of impactful presentations, interactive training activities, and educational training to teach youth how to address texting while driving in their local communities.

Texting drivers are 23 more times likely to be in an accident, but teen drivers are already four times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a crash. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds.

Orban said she chose to take on the distracted driving issue because, "It has personally hurt my family with the death of my cousin in an accident."

"Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways, and our youngest drivers are among the most at risk," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was the keynote speaker. "I'm thrilled these young ambassadors will be spreading the word to fellow teens in their communities that texting and driving don't mix."

The teens met with federal and state leaders, learned about the distracted driving issue and preventative efforts, and then created a youth action plan to address this issue from a youth perspective.

"The foundational goal of the work of the NOYS Coalition is that youth prevention efforts be done with youth and not to youth," said Sandy Spavone, NOYS executive director. "We are looking forward to the leadership of these youth to provide direction and implementation of teen distracted driving prevention initiatives all across the country."

The youth initiative is made possible through the support of the primary summit sponsor, AT&T, in addition to Roberts Ford in Alton, Operation Lifesaver, Chartis Insurance, Chrysler, Ford, Nationwide Insurance, Toyota, Make Roads Safe, and Subaru of Plano, Texas.