Last year I partnered with Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) to help teens become better educated and more aware of how to drive safely, smartly and more focused.

This week Ford DSFL is celebrating the sixth annual National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) which was founded after a series of tragic crashes in Pennsylvania, all involving teenage drivers. NTDSW is supported by organizations nationwide including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Ford DSFL is celebrating this week in full force with lots of new, fun activities for teens and parents to get involved in:
               —A special video with teen celebrities, like Jordin Sparks and The Jonas Brothers, sharing safe  
                  driving tips on the Ford DSFL website
               —Games and prizes through Ford DSFL Facebook and Twitter (@FordDSFL)
               —Sponsorship of the Conor Lynch Foundation Teen Safety Fair in California             —A distracted driver fair will be hosted in Nashville, Tenn.

This year’s theme of NTDSW is ‘Share, Not Scare’. Take a look at a few tips I thought would be helpful to know and think about as you continue on your journey of becoming a safe driver:

“Focus on the positive.”
Stay positive and focus on what you can do while driving your car, as well as being a positive influence to the other passengers. It is very important to wear your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle, no matter how far you have to drive! Make sure to always use the appropriate turn signals and to fully stop at stop signs. Be aware of your surroundings and remember that pedestrians have the right of way!

“Engage rather than offend.”
Get together with your friends and be a trendsetter!  Create a campaign for safe teen driving, at your school to help promote benefits of safe driving!  This is a fun experiment and can really get a positive momentum going at your school to really show how important safe driving behaviors are.  An example of the benefit of safe driving would be: Safe passengers; a safe vehicle; being cautious; and more aware out on the road.  When you have safe driving behaviors, you’re benefitting other drivers too.

“Empower rather than scare.”
Celebrate safe driving during NTDSW and bring awareness to all of your fellow students empowering them to continue practicing safe driving. Stand your ground and make a statement. Even if you think you’re standing alone, you aren’t. Be encouraging and stay positive in order to make a difference.