SALEM — “Steer Into The New Year, Drive Responsibly,” is the theme of a statewide holiday campaign kicking off this December at Virginia schools to keep teen drivers and passengers safe during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. According to a press release, the campaign, being sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out (YOVASO) and the Virginia State Police (VSP), is an effort to reduce teen fatalities during what has become a high-risk period for young drivers.

“Last year in Virginia our teen drivers aged 15-20 were involved in 16 fatal crashes during the month of December, a significant increase over December 2015 when six teen driver-involved fatal crashes occurred,” said Mary King, YOVASO’s program manager.

King said the 16 fatal crashes in Dec. 2016 claimed the lives of 10 teen drivers ranging in ages from 16 to 20 and two teen passengers, ages 16 and 18.