Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for American teens and are most often the result of inexperienced teen drivers taking risks like not buckling up, texting, driving with teen passengers, speeding, driving under the influence or driving in the dark.
In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 21-27, 2018), Safe Kids Worldwide and Chevrolet released an award-winning video featuring teen driver safety advocate, Kaylyn Barbour. Now paralyzed after a tragic car crash, Kaylyn is speaking out about her experience and sending a powerful message to teens about the risks of unsafe driving behaviors.
We recommend: [Video] How to Mentor Your Teens About Safe Driving
Kaylyn Barbour of Bethany, Oklahoma liked to run, dance and create art. Like so many teens, Kaylyn was active, busy and unconcerned about her own safety, but in May of 2017, her life changed forever. Kaylyn was involved in a car crash that left her paralyzed from the chest down. Her friend lost control of her car, and Kaylyn, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown through the passenger side window.
With no seat belt to protect her, Kaylyn suffered irreparable harm from the impact of the crash. After a long recovery, Kaylyn is now sharing her story in hopes of educating teens about the importance of making smart, life-saving decisions behind the wheel.
We recommend: [Video] Is Fear Keeping You From a Real Talk About Driving Safety with Teens & Tweens
Kaylyn’s story was captured in a video that she submitted for the “Take It From a Teen” video challenge. Safe Kids Worldwide, and program sponsor Chevrolet, established the video contest in spring 2018, calling on middle- and high-school students to create a 60-second video answering the question, “How would you tell your friend to…” either buckle up, not drive while distracted, or not speed. Kaylyn’s video was selected by a panel of judges from Safe Kids Worldwide, and she was awarded $1000. The local Safe Kids coalition also received $500.
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.”