For those of you not familiar with the event, the Distracted Driving Summit brings together teens from across the country to learn about the most current distracted driving research. The group then studies how to use a wide range of communication tools to persuade drivers to hang up their phones when they get behind the wheel. Why host a meeting focused on this one issue? According to Seventeen magazine nearly 9 in 10 teenage drivers have engaged in distracted driving behaviors such as texting or talking on a cellphone—despite knowing that their actions increase their risk of crashing. The online survey of 1,999 teens ages 16 to 19, conducted in May 2010, found that 84% were aware that distracted driving behaviors increase their crash risk; yet 86% have engaged in those behaviors, including texting and talking on cell phones, eating, adjusting radios, driving with four or more passengers and applying makeup. The survey confirms what we already know. Teens—and adults—engage in distracted driving. What we need to do now is help to educate youth about the dangers of distracted driving. And that’s what our Distracted Driving Summit is all about. Our summit participants became safety ambassadors, applying what they learned by creating programs to bring back to their schools and communities to help reduce distracted driving among their peers. During the Summit, I had the opportunity to work with summit participants from  Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Their passion and dedication to preventing distracted driving is remarkable, and with their help, we can decrease risky driving behaviors. The youth leaders shared with me just a few of the tips they will be taking home to their friends—and I hope that you will take a minute to read these and share them with your teens and adult drivers:

• Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
• Allow voice mail to handle your calls while driving and return them at your convenience.
• Pull off the road to a safe area or ask a passenger to make or take a call for you if urgently needed.
• Use a hands-free device if available.
• Suspend conversation during hazardous driving conditions.
• Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations while driving.
• Never take notes or look up numbers while driving.

Consumer Reports shared that 16% of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 were distracted while driving. Help prevent the loss of more lives by supporting distracted driving prevention programs in your community and set a good example when driving by keeping safe driving your main focus.

Guest blogger Sandy Spavone is the Executive Director of NOYS and works to promote youth empowerment and leadership. She builds partnerships that help to save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.

Check the vitals under the hood. To help prevent maintenance issues or potentially costly repairs, mechanics suggest opening the hood of your vehicle and checking the following:

• Fluid levels of engine oil, coolant and transmission, and brake and power steering fluid—your owner’s manual will illustrate where everything is located and the proper levels to maintain.
• Battery
• Date of the battery (located on top). Consumer Reports suggests that you have your battery checked if it’s more than two to three years old and your car’s entire charging system checked once a year.

Check the tires. Check the tires for uneven tread wear, nails or other potential hazards. Road &Travel magazine says one easy way to check tread depth is inserting a penny into a groove—if any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is obscured, you have enough tread. Check the pressure on each tire with a gauge when they’re cold (not driven).Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested pressure, which is located on most vehicles on a sticker inside the driver’s door, center console, glove compartment lid or in the owner’s manual. Also, make sure the spare tire is inflated and a jack, lug wrench and jumper cables are in the trunk. Check the lights. This is a good time to get your teen involved in the preventive maintenance checklist review. Have him or her get in the car and turn on the headlights, turn signals and emergency flashing lights as you walk around the vehicle to make sure they are working. Check the brake lights by having him or her press the brake pedal, too. Find local resources for students going away. Maintenance issues still can occur despite your preventive maintenance efforts, so it’s wise to identify resources near campus. Find a trusted mechanic or local dealership that services your type of vehicle, as well as a tire store. If your driver is college-bound, the university itself can be helpful, too, so touch base with its parking services or safety department. They may have suggestions for local car services and can offer helpful services themselves. For example, the University of Louisville has a Motorist Assistance Program that offers 24/7 help on campus for things like a dead battery, flat tire or empty gas tank. If you have any concerns after your own inspection, having a qualified mechanic perform a safety check can help minimize maintenance issues and get your student on the road to a fantastic school year.

Sandy Spavone is the Executive Director of NOYS and works to promote youth empowerment and leadership. She builds partnerships that help to save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.