Parents: "5 to Drive" - Keep Your Teen Drivers Alive

DENVER, Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveSafe Driving Schools is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week on the "5 to Drive" campaign, to encourage the parents of teen drivers to always set the rules before their teens hit the road.

"We want parents to know that even though their teens might be gaining some independence, the parents' job doesn't end there," said Ben Baron, DriveSafe's owner. "Teens are still kids. They still need rules and restrictions, and believe it or not, parents—they'll listen to you," he added.

The "5 to Drive" campaign was launched during Teen Driver Safety Week in 2013, and it addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors for teen drivers. The idea behind the campaign is to give parents the words to use when they talk with their teens about driving.

The "5 to Drive" rules for parents to share with their teens are:

1. No Drinking and Driving.
2. Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Front Seat and Back.
3. Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.
4. Stop Speeding Before It Stops You.
5. No More Than One Passenger at a Time.

Teen drivers need to follow these rules—and any other restrictions outlined in Colorado's graduated driver licensing (GDL) law. Parents have a responsibility to tell their teen drivers about the rules and enforce them. But sadly, only about 25 percent of parents have serious talks with their kids about safe driving.  The "5 to Drive" campaign was designed to help parents start that conversation.

Texting and driving has become a national epidemic, and teens are some of the worst offenders. In 2012, among drivers 15 to 19 years old who were distracted in fatal crashes, nearly 1 in 5 were distracted by their phones. Speeding is also a common contributing factor in fatal crashes. In 2012, speeding was a factor in almost half (48%) of the crashes that killed 15- to 20-year-old drivers.

Novice drivers have enough to focus on without the added distraction of extra passengers. The level of distraction caused by other teen passengers can be disastrous. In fact, the risk of a fatal crash goes up with each additional passenger.  The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior while traveling with multiple passengers increases to three times!

"We are hoping that Teen Driver Safety Week and the '5 to Drive' campaign will get the word out to all parents of teens, and help them discuss these important issues," said Ben Baron. "I get it," he added. "You probably think your teens aren't listening, but if this one conversation could save a life, isn't it a conversation worth having?" 

For more information about Teen Driver Safety Week and the "5 to Drive" campaign, please visit www.safercar.gov/parents.

CONTACT: Ben Baron, 303-718-4238, Email

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parents-5-to-drive--keep-your-teen-drivers-alive-489812232.html

SOURCE DriveSafe Driving Schools

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