Drive Home the "Safe Talk" with Teens

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Parents

1. Connect with other parents - Speak directly with any parents supervising after-parties your teen will attend since some parents may allow underage drinking.
2. Talk about (not) drinking/doing drugs – According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 74% of kids turn to their parents for guidance on drinking. Talk to your teen about dealing with peer pressure, the dangers/repercussions of underage drinking and driving, using illegal substances, and contacting you for a ride in situations involving drugs and alcohol.
3. Offer options for rides - If a group insists on traveling together to prom and numerous graduation parties, talk to other parents about hiring a limo. That way no one gets behind the wheel. If it's not in the budget, offer to drive them yourself, or research other public transportation options in your community.
4. Have the party come to you - Plan your own, adult-supervised, drug/alcohol free after-party at your house, school or local community center.
5. Set the example - You can't always be in the car, but you can keep safety top-of-mind by demonstrating and enforcing habits like wearing a seat belt, not using a cell phone while driving, following the speed limit and driving 2N2® - 2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel. 

Teens

1. Groom before you zoom - Before it's time to go, take one last look in the mirror and make sure you're looking good so nothing takes your focus off the road while driving.
2. Get your beauty rest - Since many parties last until early morning, make sure you get plenty of sleep leading up to the big day, or ask your parents to pick you up so you and your friends don't have to drive tired. Fatal car crashes involving teens happen significantly more at night.
3. Set limits - Put a limit on the number of friends you ride with. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the risk of fatal crashes increases with each passenger. And if riding with friends, remind them to put their phones away and turn the music down.
4. Don't Drink/Do Drugs and Drive - Drinking before the age of 21 is illegal, and alcohol and driving should never mix no matter your age. This goes for using drugs and other illegal substances as well.
5. Seatbelts are the perfect accessory – A little wrinkle in your dress, tux or graduation gown is hardly worth not buckling up for. Buckling your seatbelt can save your life and keep you from getting seriously injured. Plus, it's the law!

Find safe driving tips and more at the State Farm Teen® Driver Safety website, and always encourage your teen to make positive choices while driving.

* Source = Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The information in this release was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made. 

About State Farm®:
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 82 million policies and accounts – nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2015 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

SOURCE State Farm

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