Do you have a teen driver in your family?
Our 17 year old finally took the plunge and got her learners permit. Now we’re just saving up to get her driving lessons. My husband and I both don’t think we have the patience or the “know how” to teach our daughter how to drive. We also feel like she would do better with a non-family member. We think she’s more likely to focus better. We’re also afraid that we might miss telling her important things. It’s best to leave it to the “experts”.
I worry about my daughter driving. I don’t think she’ll be a bad driver, I just worry about the other little things she can’t control – like other drivers. Her safety is our #1 priority.
I remember when I first learned to drive. I think I was super paranoid at first. Then once I knew what I was doing I admit I showed off to my friends a bit and had a bit of a “lead foot”. In hindsight I was really foolish and if I could go back in time I would have taken safety much more seriously.
One safety tip that I learned that really came in handy was what to do if you are being followed.
When I was in my early 20’s I dated a guy who lived 6 hours away from where I lived. We would take turns driving back and forth to visit each other every other weekend. It was a long drive and many times the road was desolate. I was literally driving in the middle of no where. If I broke down I’d be in serious trouble. This was back in the day before there were cellphones.
I would leave after work on Friday evening and leave to come home Sunday evening. I usually got back home around midnight.
On one of my trips back home there was a suspicious car behind me. I don’t know why the car stood out to me but it did. I suddenly felt very nervous.
I got off at one of the exists and the other car followed. Then I made my way back on to the main road and the car was right behind me again.
Then I remembered what my parents told me – if I am being followed I need to pull into a public place, or better yet, a Police station. Since I was unfamiliar with my surroundings I didn’t know where a Police station was. So I kept driving until I came across an exit where I knew there were stores and restaurants. I pulled my car into a restaurant parking lot (in a well lit area) and remained in my car with the door locked. I saw the car that was following me pass by. A few minutes later I saw it pass by again.
I waited a bit longer until I didn’t see the car, then I moved my car to another parking lot near by that was also well lit in hopes that if the driver came back they would see that my car was not there anymore and drive away.
After several minutes I felt confident that the driver was gone and I headed right back on the main road again and got out of there as quickly as I could. It was a very scary and dangerous situation.
I have told this story to my kids over and over again so that they know to do the same thing if they are in a similar situation. Thankfully we have cellphones available to use these days so they can call 911 for help.
There is so much to teach teen drivers about safety. Toyota wants to help keep kids safe too. That is why they created the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinics. You can sign up for the clinic at a local Toyota dealership.
Here is more details about the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic.
This FREE 2.5 hour non-driving interactive session provides both pre-driver and new-driver teens, as well as their parents, a beyond basics approach to road safety. It includes car care tips, coaching techniques and other practical tools in a safe, non-sales environment. Families participate in hands-on activities in class and around the car to promote safe-driving behavior.
This interactive clinic will cover topics such as:
- Defensive driving “universal truths” and best practices
- Understanding your vehicle’s performance dynamics
- Dangerous driving distractions and how to avoid them
- Car operations, safety features and basic maintenance fundamentals
- Communication and coaching tips for parents and teens
- Mutual driving agreements for pre-driver/new-driver teens and their parents
I really like what these clinics have to offer. I was never taught car care tips when I was a teen driver. I’m in my mid-40’s and I still don’t know how to change a flat tire!
I also like that they teach defensive driving. I think that is super important for teens (and adults!) to know.
Best of all these important clinics are FREE! I really appreciate Toyota offering this to consumers. You don’t need to own a Toyota to participate either.
Currently I only have locations in the New York and New Jersey area.
- 9/20: Liberty Toyota Burlington, NJ
- 9/21: Holman Toyota Mount Laurel, NJ
- 10/04: Gault Toyota Endicott, NY
- 10/05: Lia Toyota of Colonie Schenectady, NY
- 10/11: DCH Toyota City Mamaroneck, NY
- 10/12: DCH Freehold Toyota Freehold, NJ
- 10/18: Millennium Toyota Hempstead, NY
- 10/19: Penn Toyota Greenvale, NY
- 10/25: Autoland Toyota Springfield, NJ
- 10/26: Bay Ridge Toyota Brooklyn, NY
I’m not sure if they are adding other dates or other states. I hope they will. I think everyone should have the opportunity to take one of these special clinics.
If you would like more information, or to attend on of the events, please RSVP here.
You can follow Toyota on Twitter (@Toyota) and the official hashtag for this event is #TeenDrive365.
What do you think about what Toyota is doing to keep teen drivers safe on the road?
Do you plan on attending one of these events?
Feel free to share your thoughts or personal stories about teen driving.
Kimberly
This post was written as part of my association with TeenDrive365 and the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic. For more information on the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic, please visit
