Disclaimer: Super big thanks to Toyota for having me as a guest at the Lifesaver Conference in Denver Colorado. My travel expenses were covered. I was not compensated for attending the event or for writing about Toyota. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by Toyota.
Are Our Teens Safe on the Roads?
I’ve always known that teenagers often lose their lives to fatal car crashes. What I didn’t know, until recently, is that the number one killer of teens are car crashes.
When I was a teenager, and being the daughter of a police officer who frightened me when I was learning to drive, I knew how precarious driving a vehicle could be. I knew then that teens lost their lives often due to car crashes. This is something that became a harsh reality when I was a teenager and I lost friends, acquaintances in High School or friend’s lost family members due to car accidents. We heard the stories, we often saw the aftermath of the wrecks, we felt the heartache and fear, but, it didn’t stop most teens I knew from driving recklessly.
The most distraction we had, back then, was from our own idiocy, loud music, posturing and silliness.
The only electronic device that distracted us then was a pager.
Now? Well, how much are we connected? How often are we distracted as drivers? How often do we stare at the moving map on our GPS? What about eating and drinking? Changing music? Texting or talking on your cell?
We know that texting and driving is dangerous and if we are going to chat on our phones we should be hands free. But, even hands free is a huge distraction.
Combine all of these distractions with an inexperienced teen driver and the world has created a cocktail of catastrophe.
Encouraging a Safe Teen Driver Starts Early
I have an almost 14 year old step-son and a diva of a 11 year old daughter. The focus from first foods, first words and first steps has shifted to first loves, first heartbreaks and first cars. The world of driving is just on the horizon for them… and this frightens me a little. Yes, I still have a few years until this starts being an actual reality. The truth is that their driving behavior has already started to form in their sponge brains.
It starts with us. The parents. Those who drive them around now. They watch, learn and repeat.
I’ve spent so much time advocating for my chronically ill daughter who has life threatening health issues. I’ve, naturally, assumed that would always be our biggest battle. Realizing that her getting into the car as a teen could the tragic mistake I made was jolting. I know I talk about being a safe driver, point out with colorful words when others are not driving safely (hehe) and I think I’ve instilled driving safety in the kids… but has it been enough?
Sure, I want to lock her up, and her siblings, and throw away the key forever. I want to do this for plenty of reasons! I won’t… I didn’t say I can’t because I SO could if I needed to… but, for now… I won’t. Did you read that kids?!
Be the Example
The first thing I decided to change was my own driving behavior. The statistics on distracted driving, and the tragedies that followed, made me physically ill and brought more tears to my eyes than any other events in the past year combined. In order for me to expect my children to be good drivers it has to start with me.
No more texting and driving. Not even when the light is red. Not even for a quick second. I just don’t pick up that phone, the phone is put on silent and everything can wait.
I do not even talk on speaker when I am driving. We aren’t completely focused on driving when we are caught up in a conversation on our cells.
I sure don’t want my soon to be driving teens to risk having a conversation and driving so I have to set that standard.
Be a Part of the Learning Experience
I am also starting to educate myself NOW on how to be a better supporter for my kids when they become drivers.
Toyota is celebrating their 10th year of saving lives through the Toyota Driving Expectations program. Toyota offers complimentary 2.5 hour classes for teens and their parents to help prepare the newest driver in the family. It is a hands on experience that has one mission – to help save lives on the roadway. Signing up for classes on their website is easy.
Here are the current dates and locations for the Toyota Driving Expectations Spring Tour -
Toyota Headquarters in Torrance, CA – May 4 & 5
Bass Pro Shops in Denver, CO – May 18 & 19
Toyota Texas Plant in San Antonio, TX – June 8 & 9
It’s FREE – I just thought I would emphasize that. 
Toyota can also bring the program to your local high school and your local Toyota dealership. You can visit the Toyota Driving Expectations site to find out how to bring this lifesaving program to your community.
Toyota also has another resource for parents and teens called Toyota Teen Driver which is a plethora of online information for the whole family.
I don’t want my kids to be terrified to drive with me in the car… I want them to drive me, safely, everywhere I want to go. I want to be able to lovingly annoy them about how long it will take to get there, when we will stop for a bathroom break and why we have to listen to that horrible music… I want them to take road trips and know they will come home with memories of awesomeness… I want them to be able to take the car out, on dates… wait, no… scratch that one. No dating. Ever. I do want to know that every time they get behind the wheel or trust a friend to drive them that they will be empowered, safe and come home safely… and most importantly, I want to do everything that I can to make sure they won’t add to the statistic of teen deaths.
