*I wrote this post as part of my participation in a blog tour for Latina Mom Bloggers on behalf of the Allstate Foundation and received compensation to thank me for taking the time to participate. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
This June, my oldest is turning eleven years old and I am bracing myself to address some of the changes that will arise due to his being a tween and eventually a teenager. Believe it or not, he is already asking me about when he will be able to drive and it is definitely a topic that I am apprehensive about because I understand the safety concerns that are involved with teen drivers.
Many years ago, my teenage cousin was driving his parents and sister home from a family gathering when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. He and his father died in the accident and his mother and sister spent weeks recovering in the hospital. Due to this traumatic incident, I have always been afraid of the day that my own sons would finally get behind the wheel.
Pretty soon my son will be the driver instead of the passenger.
The Allstate Foundation understands the importance of making driving safety a family affair and communicating with teen drivers. This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in a teleconference with Jorge Monsivais who is the Hispanic community spokesperson for Allstate Insurance.
As the parent of a teen driver himself, he has a unique perspective on the issue of teen driving safety. During the teleconference, we discussed the findings of the “¡Vamos!” or “Let’s Go!” survey which is the first-ever national survey looking into the attitudes and behaviors of Hispanic teen drivers and parents. The survey found that seven out of 10 Hispanic parents were unaware that car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens.
Most Hispanic parents, 42 percent, assumed drugs and alcohol were the number one cause of teen deaths. Additionally, concerns over driving safety and the need for teens to be more responsible were cited as the leading causes for Hispanic teens delaying getting their drivers’ licenses. The Allstate Foundation has created new driver education resources available for parents in Spanish and English to help make the next generation of drivers safer.
Here are some of the tips that Jorge Monsivais gave all parents for communicating to their teen about driving safety:
- As parents we need to set aside time to drive with our teen a minimum of 30 minutes per week.
- Key points to discuss with teen drivers are no speeding, turn off cell phone while driving, and wear seatbelt at all times.
- Encourage teen drivers to sign a safe driver agreement.
- Ask your teen not to allow any teen passengers for the first six months of driving.
- Coach teen drivers on driving process as well as set rules for safety.
It is important to create a culture of teen safe driving and parents are the number one resource of information when it comes to learning to drive for teens. Thanks to the Allstate Foundation, parents can access many resources to help keep their teen driver safe on the road, thereby making the rest of us on the road safer too!
Let’s Discuss: How do you model good driving safety for your children or teens?
Disclosure: This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers on behalf of The Allstate Foundation. 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.
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I am a terrible driver. Terrible. That’s what a masshole is afterall – a wicked bad driver. I do settle down a little when my kids are in the car, but they are probably going to pick up many of my habits when they start to drive.
Great tips. I have never been in an accident or gotten a ticket so I must be doing something right. My little brother on the other hand has been in too many wrecks to count. He needs to read the tips haha.
I do model good driving habits for my sons, but I’m still apprehensive about the day they begin driving. It’s a tough bridge for a parent to cross as driving can be so risky, particularly for new drivers. Nice to know there are programs like this to help, appreciate the tips!
I always drive very safe with my son in the car and have never been the cause of an accident. My oldest son is also turning 11 this year and just like you I cringe when I think of him driving!
This is a timely topic for me as my oldest daughter turned 15 recently as did 2 of her closest friends. I try to not follow too closely to the car in front of me, always put on my seat belt and use my turn signals. I like the idea of asking your teen driver not to have teen passengers in the car for the first 6 months of driving.
I’m so glad they are reaching out to parents to help educate the kids before they drive! We have Allstate and just love them!
For us; we try to show them the importance of keeping quiet in the car, not distracting the driver and talking about the different ways you need to be “aware” when driving. Hoping it will stick with them now as they are kids before they are old enough to drive. Amber E.
I had my son toss his phone in the trunk when we were driving. I’ll do the same for my daughter whose about that age.
Teens driving can be a scary thing some times, they can be reckless. It’s a good thing to help educated kids when driving, they need to learn how to drive safe!
I am so sorry to hear about your cousin’s accident. My teen just started driving in the past year and this is something that I am so worried about.
Great tips. Talking to your teens about distracted driving can save them from so many accidents.
I am really strict with my son in the car because I think that setting a good example is important. I think that setting a good example is the most important thing.
This is actually the worse part of being a parent, both my sister and uncle were killed in a fiery car accident in 1992 so every time my sons leave the house in their vehicles my heart hurts and I pray until they arrive home safely. Thanks for passing along these tips, and good luck for when your time comes – I’ll be praying for you!
We do not have a car but our son has always been really into cars and I know that when he is at the age to be able to drive, he will! I’m scared at the idea of my little baby out there in the road. I guess I will have to worry about it when the day comes (many many many years from no lol)
Teen drivers are the biggest problem, they’re all really annoying and try too hard to show off in front of their friends.
Both our teens went through driving school this past Christmas and our oldest will get his license in June. Sooo nervous but it is part of the process of letting them grow and teaching them. Every parent I’ve talked to has said that once you get past the nervousness You both will do well.I’ll let you know when I finally get to that point- lol. – alice chase
Respectfully accept my condolences. I had a bad accident a couple years ago. I wasn’t the drive and now I don’t trust anyone around the wheels but myself.
My daughter just started driving and is about ready for a car. It is pretty scary when you as a parent know some of the dangers out there. She drives my GMC Yukon which is pretty big for a little girl like her
My daughter is in the process of getting her drivers license and I’m so afraid for her and the road. We always make sure she buckles up when she drives no matter what and no texting and driving.
We tried to teach and stress safety when he was learning. Now I still remind him of things like no phone and no texting.
Practicing everything in a safely manner is always a must.