WALDORF, Md. – As warmer weather arrives and more drivers take to the roads, communities across Southern Maryland are being reminded of a sobering reality: traffic crashes are on the rise—and they are not just affecting teen drivers.

In response, Green Light Driving Academy is hosting the Safe Streets Teen Summit on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf—a free, interactive community event designed to bring families together around one critical message: safe driving is everyone’s responsibility.

While the summit highlights teen driver safety ahead of what is commonly known as the “100 Deadliest Days” (the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes involving teens increase nationwide), organizers emphasize that this event is not just for teens.

“This is not a teen-only conversation,” said April Simington, owner of Green Light Driving Academy and summit organizer. “The crashes we’re seeing every day involve adults, parents, and experienced drivers just as much. If we’re being honest, teens are learning their habits from us. This summit is for the entire community.”

The Safe Streets Teen Summit will offer hands-on experiences and live demonstrations aimed at making road safety real and personal, including:

  • A Distracted Driving Simulator provided by Drive Smart Maryland, allowing participants to experience the dangers of texting while driving
  • A “Sharing the Road with Trucks” experience in partnership with Virginia Tech, helping drivers understand truck blind spots and roadway safety from a truck driver’s perspective
  • Interactive safety demonstrations with community partners and first responders
  • A “Pledge to Drive Safe” wall for teens and parents to commit to safer habits
  • Educational resources for families, including insurance, injury prevention, and driver education guidance

The event will also include food trucks, community engagement activities, and family-friendly elements, making it both informative and accessible for all ages.

Recent local crashes have sparked conversations across social media, with many calling for drivers to slow down and be more attentive behind the wheel. The summit aims to turn those conversations into action.

“We see it every time there’s a fatal crash—people say, ‘slow down’ and ‘pay attention,’” Simington added. “But then life moves on, and the habits don’t change. This event is about interrupting that cycle and giving people a real reason to think differently before they get back in the car.”

“Whether you’ve been driving for 30 years or your teen is just getting started, this is a space for everyone to reset how we think about safety behind the wheel.”

The Safe Streets Teen Summit is free and open to the public. Families, teens, and all members of the community are encouraged to attend.

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