The “Driving the Right Message” campaign’s goal is to educate parents about the important role they play in keeping their teen safe at the wheel. Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the campaign will reach parents through a variety of methods, including movie theater and gas pump topper ads, web site ads and posters. The campaign’s logo includes a QR code that takes parents to the web site which provides resources
and tools about how to keep teen drivers safe.“This campaign is another way to make a positive impact on teen-related crashes,” said Courtney Phillips, DHHS Chief Executive Officer. “By educating parents about their important role in teen driver safety, we are also helping teens become responsible, skilled drivers.”
With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of death for Nebraska’s teen drivers, parental involvement is crucial. Parents who are supportive and involved with their teen driver can lower their teen’s crash risk by 50 percent. Modeling safe driving practices such as always using a seat belt, no cell phone use and driving the speed limit also makes an impact.
The statistics show teen drivers with involved parents are more apt to have safer driving behaviors. They are twice as likely to use their seat belt, 70 percent less likely to drink and drive, half as likely to speed, 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving, and significantly less likely to drive with multiple passengers.
“Parents play a key role, and when they talk to their teens about safe driving, they are helping to prevent car crashes," said Judy Martin, Deputy Director of Community and Environmental
Health of DHHS. "We hope that this campaign will spark a conversation between parents and their teen driver."
