(Harrisonburg, Va.) Traffic safety advocates from across the Commonwealth were honored at the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) Awards Banquet, held on Saturday, July 18 at James Madison University. Lt. Colonel Todd Taylor, Director of the Bureau of Field Operations for the Virginia State Police, delivered the keynote address.
The banquet, themed “Showcasing YOVASO’s Top Performers in Teen Traffic Safety,” celebrated students, schools, youth groups, teachers, community partners, and law enforcement agencies from across Virginia who demonstrated exemplary efforts during the 2025–2026 school year to promote safe driving and passenger safety among teens. Most awards recognized YOVASO school‑based clubs, youth groups, and student leaders for their creativity, leadership, and commitment to peer‑to‑peer traffic safety programming. Additional awards honored teachers, community partners, and law enforcement officers for their ongoing support of youth‑led safe driving initiatives.
Keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Todd Taylor emphasized the dedication and leadership it takes to be part of YOVASO, recognizing the students, advisors, law enforcement officers, and community partners who make the program successful. He noted that since YOVASO’s inception in 2001, the Commonwealth has seen a 47 percent reduction in crash fatalities among 15‑ to 20‑year‑olds, a milestone made possible by the commitment of everyone in attendance.
The prestigious Steve D. Goodwin Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mary King, retired Program Administrator for YOVASO, for her lifelong commitment to youth traffic safety. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mary King helped shape youth traffic safety at both the Virginia DMV and YOVASO, developing groundbreaking programs and statewide campaigns that saved lives and strengthened communities. As YOVASO’s longtime Program Administrator, she expanded the organization’s reach across Virginia, secured critical funding, and championed initiatives that earned state and national recognition.
A total of 18 award categories were presented during the banquet. A complete list of all award recipients was provided in an attached document.
YOVASO is Virginia’s peer‑to‑peer education and prevention program for teen driver safety. The program is part of the Virginia State Police and is funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Since 2001, YOVASO has worked with schools and youth groups statewide to improve young driver and passenger safety.
