This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Last night, I was going through some old papers when I came upon my old Learner’s Permit. It was certainly a blast from the past and I immediately showed it to my ten year-old son so he could see my old photo and so he could see what a Permit in New York State looks like. He immediately had a lot of questions about how someone gets a Permit and whether I was afraid to be able to drive for the first time. State Farm is committed to teaching young people safe driving from the moment they begin to drive to set the tone for safety in vehicles for the rest of their life.
As the mother of a child who will be eligible for his Learner’s Permit in a few years, I have some serious concerns about safety when it comes to handing him the keys to one of our cars. As an educator of adolescents, I know that young people don’t always make the best decisions due to their lack of experience and immaturity. According to a new survey conducted by State Farm, there is an alarming gap between parents’ and teens’ views on driver licensing laws. Many parents of teen drivers believe teens are obeying the law when it comes to graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws. This indicates that there is huge discrepancy between what parents think they know and what teenagers actually report.
According to the survey findings, Teens listed not thinking that police will catch them as the number one reason why they do not or will not follow the driving restrictions for newly licensed drivers. Being a mother, this finding was especially disturbing to me because it means that teens think they are invincible or “above the law” and that they don’t worry as much as they should about the consequences. Additionally, the survey showed that teens with involved and supportive parents, with regards to their driving, were half as likely to be involved in a crash. This definitely puts my mind at ease about the fact that it is possible to avoid tragedies, to some degree, by being involved and proactive.
Key Findings of the Survey:
- Only 43 percent of teens state they almost always follow the passenger restriction.
- 72 percent of teens stated they almost always follow texting ban laws.
- 32 percent of teens stated their parents monitor their adherence to the nighttime restriction law.
Personally, I want my son to make smart decisions when he is behind the wheel which is why I love the fact that State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive® initiative shares the belief that safe driving is a lifelong commitment and should be taught early on. Since last year, thousands of students, family, friends and high school staff members have joined this initiative in the hopes of creating more responsible young drivers.
During National Teen Driver and Teen Safety Week (October 18-26) and beyond, State Farm is committed to helping teens stay safe as they venture out on to the open road! Check out their Teen Driver Safety website which is filled with free tools, tips, and resources designed to help teens and their parents throughout the learning-to-drive process. If you are like me, you are never going to be completely confident in giving your baby the car keys without worrying, however, arming yourself and your child with these safety tips will help to put you a little more at ease.
Let’s Discuss: How do you teach your pre-teen or teen about driver safety?
Disclosure: This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm. However, all opinions expressed are my own. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I think that this is a great campaign. Keep our kids safe out there on the roads. 🙂
What an important program! I try to model good driving habits, such as not texting and driving, and keep an open line of discussion. My sons aren’t old enough yet, but I do feel it’s good to start early. Will have to check into this program, thanks for sharing!
I constantly worry right now. My daughter has her permit and is ok behind the wheel when I’m with her but I’ve been putting off taking her for her test so she can get the actual license because I’m scared of what kind a driver she will be when I’m not around. I hope she’ll make smart decisions, after all it’s my insurance we’re talking about here. 🙂
My son has his permit now. He’s doing well so far, but I know, FOR SURE, I will be a basketcase when it comes time to let him drive alone. I’ll need to check out that State Farm program.
This is good information! I’m so glad I have a long time before I have to worry about my kids driving
That’s kind of scary that only 43 percent of teens state they almost always follow the passenger restriction! Eek!
I know from having teenagers that those facts are right. My daughter didn’t always follow the traffic rules.
my kids are a bit young. i was 18 and got in an accident. i misjudged speed to cross a highway
I don’t even want to think about my tot driving, many years from now. Scary!
My children are only 4years old and 18months old, but this is definitely worth sharing and spreading! Thank you
I didn’t learn to drive till late – our lessons are a bit different over here anyway but even now I find it quite scary how some people drive.
Wonderful campaign! After being in a bad wreck as a child (it was during a bad storm BEFORE a bridge), I never learned how to drive until a few years ago. Needless to say, I was petrified of it because of that one bad experience. I hardly want to think about it when my children are at the driving age.
I’m 16 but I’m not allowed to drive, yeah just because of safety issues! I can’t wait to get my licence and drive away wooooooooooooooh!
My kids are 25 and 21. My 21 year old still doesn’t have her licence because she is afraid of driving!
Been there done that with my two sons. I just remember that when they reached their teen years, it was constantly on my mind. We had our sons take driver’s training at school and we paid for them to have it with a private company. We also drove with them a lot when they had their learners permit. It was especially concerning for me since we live in Los Angeles.
I worked in the insurance industry for several years and it is very frightening what happens with teen drivers. My son will be getting his license in the next year but I am adiment about things with him. He already knows about the texting and driving. I don’t like doing anything with my phone when I drive including talking. I just don’t think it is a good idea. This is a great post that is very informative.
Very informative! i just got my student’s permit a month ago, and i’m still learning how to drive
My second oldest was so good at portraying that he was following the driving rules, and then breaking them when no one was around. We got this worked out, but you really do have to pay attention!! That’s quite a discrepancy between the parents and the kiddos!
My kids are way to young but these are great tips, very informative!
Ahhh the thought of my daughter driver makes me woozy!! We don’t have a car now, maybe we will when she’s eligible, but safety is SO IMPORTANT. It’s scary to realize so many teens are making bad choices when it comes to driving, putting themselves and others at risk.
I made the decision when my children would drive and didn’t decide just because they were of age to get a license. One had to wait a year because I didn’t feel they were responsible enough to take it on.
As the mom of one kid who drives and one who is eligible to get his learner’s but doesn’t want too, I spend a lot of my time worrying about teenage driving safety.
I can’t believe that Only 43 percent of teens state they almost always follow the passenger restriction! Eek! Eek! Eek!
Thankfully it will be a while before my kiddos hit the road, but I am a firm believer in teaching by example.