Florida's teen drivers are reminded to buckle up and arrive alive.
This week marks National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is observing it with a campaign designed to give teens the tools and language to take ownership of their driving skills.
The We Arrive Alive campaign initiative gives teens the tools and language to take ownership of their driving habits, cementing safe behaviors with affirmative statements about why buckling up is so important.
FLHSMV urges teens to keep these mottoes in mind:
- The car doesn’t start until everyone is buckled up
- For me, it clicks. Buckle up every time
- I’m not getting pulled over for someone not wearing their seat belt
- The few seconds it takes to buckle up makes the difference of a lifetime
- Without a seat belt, chances of dying in a crash DOUBLE. In my car, we buckle up
- No more lame excuses. Buckle up
- Buckle up today, see you tomorrow
Before driving, FLHSMV reminds everyone to:
- Put on a seat belt and make sure passengers buckle up, too
- Keep passengers at a minimum
- Extra passengers can be distracting for an inexperienced teen driver
- Never try to fit more people in the car than you have seat belts for them to use
- When driving to a new place, get complete directions before you go
- Maintain car’s optimum performance
- Check your tires and make sure they are inflated to the right pressure according to your owner’s manual
- Bald tires, a slipping transmission, bad brakes, a dirty windshield or a hesitant engine could lead to accidents
- Make sure the car has gas in it
- Be responsible, don’t drink and drive, and don’t ride with anyone who has been drinking
- Never drive under the influence of drugs
Executive Director Terry Rhodes points out that the chances of dying in a crash almost double when a seat belt is not worn.
Parents and teens can find out more on the department's website. Click here for more!