This article is part of the “Mentors4Teens” special editorial series, which highlights positive influence to our teens thru mentors beyond mom and dad. Channel is sponsored by Ford en Español, and their #AbrochatePorAmor campaign for safe teen driving. All opinions, as algways, are our own.
* Watch abuelo Sergio give driving advice to his soon-to-be-driver teen, Sophia, in the video below *
Texting and cell phone use get the most attention, but drivers – specially teens – can be distracted many other things – including use of other mobile devices like GPS, adjusting sound system controls, eating and talking with passengers.
“Today’s cars are safer than ever, with many innovations that help avoid crashes and protect occupants, but distracted driving continues to be a major risk for crashes,” said Shayne Wilson, President of the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association.
The National Safety Council (NSC) and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) outlined a blueprint for all states on December 2016 to reduce teen driver car crashes, the leading cause of death for the age group.
Specifically, NSC and TIRF are calling for a three-step, multi-year licensing system that applies to all new drivers younger than 21 rather than only drivers age 18 or younger.
Recommended teen-driving safety requirements include:
- Mandatory in-vehicle technology to track practice hours
- A full-year ban on carrying passengers and driving at night
- Decals to aid identification and on-going driver’s education classes.
- Parents would also be required to spend at least 50 hours supervising their teens.
You can read the entire blueprint and recommendations HERE.
The National Safety Council offers these tips to parents ensure teen safety driving:
- Wear a seat belt on every trip.
- Make sure children are restrained in safety seats that are appropriate for their height, age and weight
- If teen will be attending parties where drinks will be served, advice them to designate an alcohol or arrange alternate transportation. Impairment begins with the first drink.
- Get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue
- Never use a cell phone behind the wheel, even hands-free
- Do not allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44 percent.
- Learn about vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them. MyCarDoesWhat can help drivers understand the ins and outs of features such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning systems and backup cameras.
Watch abuelo Sergio give driving advice to his soon-to-be-driver teen, Sophia, in the video below:
Anllelic Lozada “Angie” is a proud P.A.N.K (professional aunt with no kids), a Personal Marketing Strategist in NYC and Los Tweens & Teens “Tia-in-Charge,” based in New York City. Anllelic wants you to best your best life so you can positively influence your tween and teen. Subscribe to her weekly e-newsletter in Spanish in marketingparatucarrera.com/Vendete, where she shares personal marketing strategies to help you “Comunicar lo genial que eres.”