Make An Online Commitment To Safe Driving #CelebrateMyDrive

Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

I've been talking about how important teen driver safety is on my blog for the past month now but I can't emphasize enough how I didn't just start here.  Talking about driver safety starts at home when your children are young and it continues.  And if you don't have children, talk about it with your nieces and nephews!  We need to set the example and continue to practice it daily.  Creating positive habits will have young drivers truly thinking before driving!  You can practice what you preach by setting these rules:

• Always buckle your seat belt before you start the car
• Make sure all your passengers are buckle up
• Avoid driving distracted (no eating, checking your phone, doing your makeup, etc.)
• Don't speed or tailgate
• Don't drive if you are angry or tired

I monitor my teens activity on social networks and just last week my 16 year old uploaded a video on Instagram of him and his friends dancing in one of their cars.  I commented with, "Make sure you are wearing your seatbelt" and he commented back with, "I know mom, I am".  That was definitely a proud mom moment!   Can you promise me right now that you'll make an online commitment to safe driving?  Safe driving saves lives!

For more information on teen driver safety including free tools, tips and resources designed to help teens and their parents throughout the learning-to-drive process, visit teendriving.statefarm.com

National Teen Driver Safety Week 10/18-10/26 #CelebrateMyDrive

Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

For us, teen driver safety started when our kids were young.  Ever since they learned to ride bikes and scooters and skateboards.  We have always taught our children that their safety is number one and that they can insure their safety by being safe themselves.  We also remind our kids that driving as a teen is a privilege, not a right and the minute they abuse that, keys will be taken away and locked in the safe.  We are always reinforcing safe driving habits such as 2N2 - keeping 2 eyes on the road and 2 hands on the wheel.  Crashes are the No.1 killer of teens. The first year of driving is the most dangerous.  That's why it's important when communities encourage young drivers to make safe driving choices every time they're behind the wheel and I'm so happy State Farm created Celebrate My Drive in 2012.  Check and see if your teen's high school is registered here!  If not, contact your school's administrator and encourage them to register!    

CELEBRATE MY DRIVE® Powered by State Farm® encourages teens to make positive choices as they start driving. We’re proud to help them stay safe as they explore the road ahead.

WHEN: National Teen Driver Safety Week | October 18-26 | AND BEYOND!

HIGH SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS AGES 14+ will unite their communities to generate support for their school by making safe driving commitments. $3.25 million in grants* will then be awarded to 100 winning high schools!

• 2 schools get a Grand Prize Concert by a chart-topping music artist and a $100,000 grant
• 8 schools get $100,000 
• 90 schools get $25,000 
• Take part in a local Celebrate My Drive event

Learn more and register your school at CELEBRATEMYDRIVE.COM 

Like us on facebook.com/CelebrateMyDrive for updates.

*10% of each grant award must be dedicated to teen driver safety

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Teen Driver Safety With State Farm #CelebrateMyDrive

Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

My oldest Tyler is a go-getter.  He was ready for his 16th Birthday because here in California, that meant he could get his license.  He's a responsible and smart kid, deserving of his license so his wish was granted.  He did driver's ed and got his permit before his birthday in January.  It wasn't until he got his license in August that I really started to worry.  I know my kid is a good driver but what about everyone else?  When I came across State Farm's new survey that reveals an alarming gap between parents and teen views on driver licensing laws, I was stunned.  Most shocking for me is how much parents overestimate their teens obeying two key provisions of graduated driver licensing laws.  You can click the GDL infographic below to see that only 43% of teens state they almost always obey the passenger restrictions while 70% of parents say their teens obey the passenger restriction.  This one is huge for me because I'm always telling Tyler he can't drive around his friends!  Especially since the presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers.

For nighttime restrictions, 66% of parents said they almost always monitor while only 32% of teens said their parents monitor.  In this case, our son isn't allowed to drive at night.  There is no reason he should be out after 10pm - 6am.

When I asked Tyler what he thought about the survey results, he said he agreed but that I need to just trust him and I do.  We all do.  It's other people we don't trust.  For as long as I can remember, I have always pushed my sons to obey the law - especially on the road because they can hurt themselves or someone else.  Too much responsibility to bear if something ever happened.  Life changing.  What are your thoughts on the State Farm survey?  

You can check out the Teen Driver Safety Website and Celebrate My Drive on Facebook.