Safe Teen Drivers Program Puts Teens Driving Skills To the Test

FAIRFAX, Va.--Nov. 4, 2003--CARFAX and the Coral Springs Auto Mall's Nissan dealership in Coral Springs, Fla., teamed up recently to bring to light the dangers teens face behind the wheel. CARFAX brought a driving simulator, provided by Raydon Corp., to the dealership and invited parents to put their teens' driving skills to the test. The teens drove the simulator under different environmental and road conditions and received a report card afterwards. CARFAX representatives also presented to participants the CARFAX Safe Teen Drivers Program (www.carfax.com/teen), which provides parents a step-by-step curriculum of email tips they can receive over a 52-week period.

The CARFAX Safe Teen Driver tips walk parents through important information and skills they can review with their teen in the car. CARFAX designed its Safe Teen Drivers Program to help parents of first-time drivers to get the information they seek in one central location. As a way to reach out to their communities, CARFAX Certified Dealers, too, are beginning to share information about the program with their customers.

"Hosting this event was our chance to give something back to the community," said Tony Martorano, Development Manager, Coral Springs Auto Mall. "When parents come out to buy a car for their teen, it's often a used car. We run CARFAX Vehicle History Reports on all our cars so we know if they've ever had mechanical problems or were ever a lemon, for example. We're making sure we're providing a safe car. After all, when you're in the car business, the only thing you have to fall back on is your reputation."

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S. today, so CARFAX found it essential to get involved to help lower these fatalities. CARFAX is reaching out to the millions of families with new teen drivers each year through its certified dealers. Car dealers are connected to their communities, and help parents get their teens in safe and reliable cars every day.

Teens Talk

When asked how their experience in the safe driving simulator went, Jessica Sanchez, a teen from Pembroke Pines, Fla. said, "I have a lead foot, kind of. I was afraid that I was going to hit a car or something or a car was going to hit me."

"It didn't go as good as I planned," said Austin Dudas, a teen from North Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. "I got points off for switching into another lane, and I crashed twice."

"Speeding - that's the thing I get in trouble for all the time - going too fast," said Carrie Apolinario, a teen from Davie, Fla.

Parents Listen

After watching their teens in the simulator, parents admitted they have driving knowledge that has become second nature to them, but that know-how is challenging to translate to their teens.

"I learned to drive obviously many years ago. Things have changed since then regarding hand placement on the steering wheel and using your mirrors," said Michelle Sanchez, mother of Jessica Sanchez. "They have updated so many rules, so I probably did place Jessica at a little bit of a disadvantage."

"Don't assume a teen knows everything," said Debbie Apolinario, mother of Carrie Apolinario as well as two older siblings. "Bring everything you can to their attention. I'm a pain-in-the-neck, but it's paid off. My kids are really good, safe drivers."

Since Tony Martorano is the father of two teens, he, too, subscribes to the CARFAX Safe Teen Drivers Program emails.

"When I get the tips on email, I send them to my teens, then give them a call to see what their thoughts are on the subject," Martorano said.

"Parents need updated nuggets of information they can use during that teachable moment when they're in their car with their teen," said Dick Raines, CARFAX President. "Ultimately, parent shouldn't rush to put their teens behind the wheel but instead get involved and stay involved. The CARFAX Safe Teen Drivers Program is an excellent resource for parents and for teens once they do get behind the wheel."

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