How do you know if your teen is ready to drive?

When it's time to teach your teenager to drive, parents should begin by taking the time to see that their teen is knowledgeable about and comfortable with the vehicle and its controls. 

Before you hit the road, start by training your teen on the basics: demonstrate how to adjust the seat and the side and rearview mirrors safely to fit their needs. Make any other accommodations that are necessary, such as tilting the steering wheel.

Take a few minutes to review the vehicle controls and demonstrate how each of these works: dashboard controls, steering wheel and seat adjustment, mirror adjustment, turn signals, headlights, safety features like air bags and seat belts, wipers, emergency lights, parking brake/release, starting/turning off the engine, gas and brake pedals, warning indicator lights on dashboard, and don’t forget to show your teen where the registration, insurance card and car manual are located.

For teens, dialing a phone while driving increases crash risk by six times and texting while driving increases crash risk by 23 times.

Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving

According to the State Farm’s 2023 Distracted Driving Survey:

Respondents with less driving experience were more likely to report manually interacting with their cell phones while driving compared to drivers who had been licensed longer. And drivers who had been licensed from five years or less were significantly more likely to use smartphone apps, record videos, and watch videos while driving compared to drivers who had been licensed more than 10 years.

Here are a few TIPS of what you can do before letting your teenager get behind the wheel:
 

1. Talk to your teen about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving.
   
   
   1. Share stories about distracted driving
       
   2. Let them know their full attention is essential
       
2. Be a good role model by delivering consistent messages:
   
   
   1. Buckle up!
       
   2. Hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
       
   3. Before letting your teenager get behind the wheel, go over this driver skills checklist.
      
      
      1. Teen Driving-101

Experienced drivers know driving at night is more difficult than during the day.

More than half of the State Farm survey respondents did not have nighttime driving practice when they were learning to drive and nearly half did not feel they had sufficient driving practice overall before getting a license. One quarter of respondents admitted to driving a car before they were legally able to do so.

Other important tips:

1. Make sure your young driver gets some night-driving experience so you’re both more comfortable with evening outings.
    
2. Learn about your state’s graduated driver licensing laws. GDL

Imagine what would happen if we took the same approach and focused on our responsibility to each other while driving - safely and without additional distraction?

In August 2020, the State Farm® Enterprise Research Department conducted an online survey with adults ages 18 and older examining attitudes and behaviors around distracted driving. It revealed that we are still texting, speeding, reading, on social media, grooming, gaming and taking selfies while behind the wheel driving.

This survey, the ninth wave of a study first conducted in August 2009, found that nine out of 10 drivers (89%) said they engaged in at least one of the 14 distracted driving behaviors studied while behind the wheel.

More drivers reported participating in each behavior studied in 2020 than they did in 2010 or 2015, with the exception of talking on a hand-held phone (engagement has declined significantly since 2010 as more drivers are talking hands free).

Factors at Play

Smartphone ownership has increased steadily since 2011 moving from 53 percent of all respondents in 2011 to 95 percent in 2020. This increase has enabled more drivers to take part in smartphone-related distracted driving, like accessing the internet, which has more than doubled between 2010 and 2020.

Age greatly influenced the reported rate of distracted behaviors in 2020. Drivers under age 40 were significantly more likely than those age 40 and over to say they engaged in distracted phone and navigation behaviors. And while 56 percent believed manually interacting with a phone while driving greatly increases the likelihood of a crash – consumers continue to put themselves and everyone on the road at risk.

Younger drivers were significantly more likely to exhibit other risky behaviors while driving, including speeding, driving drowsy, failing to use turn signals, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“So much has changed in our lives this past year,” State Farm Assistant Vice President - Enterprise Research Laurel K. Straub said. “We don't know what our ‘new normal’ might be, but we can start taking responsibility for the safety of ourselves and others by making positive choices when it comes to our driving behavior behind the wheel.”

Imagine if we all pledge to start today to keep our eyes on the road, our hands on the wheel and our minds on the road ahead, how much better protected we would be from exposure to reckless and potentially deadly driving distractions.

“Distracted driving behaviors and crashes are preventable,” Laurel said. “Let’s normalize that.”

Downloads

Distracted While Driving Report

Bar Graph Infographic

Distracted Driving Infographic

 

• Nine out of ten teenage drivers say they engage in at least one smartphone behavior while driving.
• Parents influence their teenage children. Teens whose parents use cellphones while driving were more likely to do the same.
• Teens report using phones while driving despite finding such activities distracting and believing they can increase the likelihood of a crash.
• Teens who have been in an accident have a higher tendency to use their phone when behind the wheel.
• Many teens reported driving a vehicle equipped with an advanced safety feature: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane keeping assist. These teens more likely engaged in distracted smartphone behaviors while driving than those who drove vehicles without safety features. Teens are comfortable taking their eyes off the road to focus on other tasks when the safety systems are active. This is a dangerous combination.

“Drivers who engage in distracting behaviors while behind the wheel are making the decision to put themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk,“ said Laurel Straub, Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Research at State Farm. “Unfortunately, this risk often leads to crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These tragedies are preventable.”

For teens, parents are an important role model in the car.

"Our data shows that teens who admit to using a smartphone while driving are more likely to have a parent or guardian who also uses a phone while driving,” Straub added.

When learning hands-on driving skills it's important to:

• Eliminate distractions when behind the wheel.
• Practice your driving skills with your parents.
• Enroll in drivers education courses. 
• Review state graduated drivers licensing laws.
• Establish restrictions, boundaries and curfews. 

Tips to avoid distractions while driving (not just for teens!):

• Put the phone away. Set it to send an automatic reply while driving – no texts, internet, selfies or social media.
• Adjust controls -  GPS, radios, air conditioning, or mirrors – before driving.
• If you must call, pull over and park in a safe place or ask your passenger to call.
• Always, always have your head in the game – drive safe.

More safety help is available. Our auto insurance discount programs like State Farm Drive Safe & Save^TM and Steer Clear^® help you save while also improving your driving habits. Steer Clear reinforces safe driving habits in young drivers under age 25.

*Source: ^{1, 2} National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; ³ Pew Research Center

RELATED CONTENT:

• Learning to Drive During the Pandemic
• Smartphones While Driving: We Know It’s Risky. So Why Do We Do It?
• Teen driving 101: a step-by-step test of essential driving skills
• Ways to help your teen driver stay safe
• Things have changed since you learned to drive
• Attention, teen drivers: buckle up (video)
• 4 Driving experiences your teen needs
• Texting while driving includes growing mobile web use
• Full 2020 Survey Report: Distracted Teens Behind the Wheel

The fine, while hefty, is nothing compared to the anguish distracted driving causes.

On Oct. 28, 2015, Joe Tikalsky was retrieving his newspaper from the road outside his home. A texting driver struck and killed the popular New Prague school bus driver.

Today his family advocates for distracted driving awareness.

Burying a loved one as a result of a preventable act is inconceivable to many. The Tikalskys’ hope Minnesota’s Hands-Free law keeps other families from experiencing their grief.

“Don’t be the person who decides someone else’s fate,” says Joe's daughter-in-law Tammi Tikalsky.

Unfortunately, the Tikalskys are not alone.

A 2018 Minnesota State Patrol report found distracted driving contributed to 1 in 4 Minnesota crashes. That's an average of 59 deaths and 223 serious injuries per year.

Minnesota is the 17th state to prohibit a person from holding a wireless device while driving.

Don’t be a distracted driver.

Distractions cause you to lose focus on safely operating your vehicle. Manual, visual or cognitive distractions are even causing many to drive dumber in their smart cars.

Texting, is among the worst of all driver distractions. Activities like reading a text message, taking a selfie or updating social media while driving are illegal and dangerous. Avoid the temptation by keeping your phone out of reach while driving. Pull over and park in a safe location if you must use your phone. Or, ask a passenger to make a call or send a text for you.

Currently, 48 states and D.C. ban text messaging for all drivers. State Farm continues to advocate for automobile and highway safety legislation at the state and federal level.

Still fighting the urge to pick up your phone while driving?

Apps like State Farm Drive Safe & Save can help improve your driving habits. To learn more about the new law and ways your can qualify for policy discounts, contact your local State Farm agent.

Experts addressed these topics at a May 8, Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)/State Farm® meeting. They represented government, the auto and tech industries, law enforcement, safety, and insurance.

The leaders agreed to use a common language when talking about AV features. Also, focus on driver responsibilities and attitudes is key to preparing motorists to safely share roads with AVs. Moving forward the group will:

• Develop consistent public safety messages about all forms of vehicle automation.

• Maintain focus on current traffic safety challenges. These include impaired driving, speeding, failure to buckle up, distracted driving and sharing the road with pedestrians.

• Create uniform policies and training for responding to and investigating AV crashes. This will be key for police, first responders and court officials.

“While AVs will change our lives in many ways, they raise important highway safety issues,” said Ryan Gammelgard, Counsel at State Farm. “This report is a key piece to helping make sure we all work together to ensure the technology works as advertised.”

While these features have promising safety benefits,  they are designed to work in conjunction with engaged driving behaviors.

Forty-two percent of drivers with Lane Keeping Assist tech stated they “frequently” or “sometimes” use video chat while driving compared to 20 percent who engaged in the risky behavior without the advanced technology.

Survey data breakdown by distracted behavior and advanced vehicle technology:

“Innovations such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist are designed to make our roadways safer,” said Laurel Straub, State Farm Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Research. “These systems are meant to assist drivers, not replace them.”

When will the car drive itself?

Not any time soon. There will have to be more tech advances before we see fully automated vehicles on our roadways.

The highest level of automation available on the consumer market today is Level Two. At this level, the vehicle can control steering, braking, and accelerating in certain scenarios. Only a subset of new vehicles sold to the general public today are equipped with Level Two features. However, the human driver MUST pay attention at all times and still perform the remainder of the driving. (NHTSA)

Two of those features, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) were explored in this survey. ACC, in certain situations, enables your vehicle to automatically adjust its speed to maintain a specific distance behind another vehicle. LKA, in certain situations, enables your vehicle to automatically steer within your lane.

“Advances in vehicle technology are occurring rapidly,” Straub continued. “Even with these technologies in place, it’s important for drivers to pay attention when behind the wheel.”

Half of all respondents also said they would be willing to take their eyes off the road for less than five seconds to focus on another task. All while driving on an open highway at 65 mph. At that speed, you can drive the length of a football field in 3.2 seconds. Anything can happen in 100 yards.

11 tips on how to be as smart as your smart car while you drive

1. Do not read or send text messages
2. Do not update social media
3. Do not access the internet
4. Do not talk on the phone unless it's connected to the car audio
5. Do not check or send emails
6. Do not take selfies or film videos
7. Do not enter destinations into GPS while the car is moving
8. Keep your phone out of reach (glove compartment, purse, etc.). Pull over and park in a safe location if it is necessary to use your phone.
9. Ask your passenger to make a call or text for you.
10. Set your phone to send an automatic reply while you are driving.
11. Do nothing that takes your attention away from your number one task -- driving safe.

Still fighting the urge to pick up your phone while driving?  Apps like State Farm Drive Safe & Save are designed to help you improve your driving habits. 

Bloomington, Illinois, October 17, 2016 – Over 80 percent of teens said when surveyed that they use their smartphones while driving. According to a new report from State Farm, American teens who choose to be distracted by their smartphones when they’re behind the wheel are also more likely to participate in other dangerous driving behaviors, like speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failing to wear a seatbelt.

In July, 2016 State Farm conducted a survey of teen drivers ages 16-19 which explored distracted driving behaviors. A strong relationship was revealed between teens’ willingness to use their smartphones while driving and participating in these other risky behaviors.

A clear relationship also emerged between admitted smartphone use behind the wheel and self-reported car crashes. Compared to those who have not been in a crash, those who have been in a crash were more than three times more likely to report watching videos and browsing the internet while driving and two to three times more likely to send and read texts, take pictures, record video, read and update social media, and play games on their cellphone while driving.

“Young drivers learn many of their driving behaviors from their parents,” says Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. “In our survey, teens who indicated that their parents used cellphones while driving were more likely to report participating in many of these distracting activities. This tells us that parents have it in their power to help alleviate these dangerous activities by demonstrating safe driving themselves.”

Other findings from the survey include:

• The majority of teens understand that using their cellphone while driving is dangerous, and they also know that it is illegal. When asked why they still participate in these behaviors, top reasons included wanting to stay in touch with family and friends, and “it is a habit.”
• Those teens who refrain from using their smartphone while driving report doing so for safety reasons, and because it is illegal in their state.
• Teen drivers’ perceptions about their state laws impact their driving behavior. Regardless of the actual law, teens were more likely to use their phones while driving if they thought it was legal to do so, and less likely if they thought it was illegal.
• Those survey respondents who have their own car were significantly more likely to participate in distracting behaviors while driving than were those who share the family car.

The full report with survey results can be downloaded here.

Methodology

In July 2016, the State Farm Strategic Resources Department used an outside panel vendor to conduct an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 16-19. Survey responses were received from approximately 1,000 consumers who reported having a valid driver’s license, driving at least 1 hour per week, and owning a smartphone. A number of changes were made to the survey research in 2016 such that results in this report should not be compared with the results in the 2015 “Teens and Distracted Driving” report also produced by State Farm.

True or false. Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teen drivers? It’s true. In 2014, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 77,399 vehicle crashes in Texas involving teen drivers.

A Texas Fire Chief has seen this reality up close and personal.

“Every firefighter dreads responding to vehicle crashes involving teens. What a senseless feeling it is to witness death or severe injury that will change that young person’s life forever!” The Woodlands Township Chief Alan Benson said. “Anything public safety can do to decrease vehicle crashes would be a win-win-win for teens, families, and our community.”

So, Chief Benson set about on a mission to save teen drivers’ lives.

To reduce distracted-driving, Chief Benson partnered with the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District. Together, they asked State Farm to help them establish a new program to provide teens with a hands-on experience in a controlled environment. A grant from State Farm would allow the purchase of three pedal karts and a trailer to store and transport them to local high schools and community events.

“With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of death for teens in Texas and the United States, I was happy to work with Chief Benson to find a way to impact those numbers,” shared Brent Wroten, a resident of The Woodlands and a State Farm Vice President of Agency. “State Farm has a history of caring and partnering with organizations to encourage safe driving. If this pedal kart experience can save one teenager’s life, it will be worth all of our efforts.”

Each teen gets two turns on the pedal karts, while trying to navigate an orange-coned circuit. First, they get to drive without any distractions or impairments. Then they drive while texting or wearing goggles that simulate blurred vision associated with being drunk or drugged. This experience changes their perceptions of how dangerous it truly is to drive wile distracted or under the influence.

Since November 2015, hundreds of local teens used and learned from the pedal karts. Dakota Richards, a 15 year old sophomore at Willis High School, is one of those students. Dakota who was thrilled to be one of the first to drive the kart shared, “The experience was really cool and I plan to talk with my teacher about arranging to bring it to my high school in the spring so other students can benefit.”

Chief Benson, who jokingly test drove one of the karts at the unveiling, is pleased that for years to come, the karts will build awareness with teens about the importance of driving undistracted and unimpaired.

After lunch, John, an engineer, left the house to head back to the office, but first decided to get the mail. Marilyn put on her coat and prepared to do last minute Christmas shopping.

Marilyn thought she heard someone calling for a dog. She heard the voice again. It was louder and more urgent. Curious, she followed the voice, toward the end of her driveway

As she reached the end, about 35 feet from their front door, she saw John. He was lying in the snow, conscious but unable to move, and seriously injured.

He repeated the words “hurt” and “truck” to her. The mailbox door was open with the mail still inside. Marilyn quickly called 911. John, her husband and best friend, was rushed to the hospital.

In an effort to keep John alive, the hospital staff quickly worked to identify the extent of his injuries. Throughout all of this, John remained conscious and kept repeating, “hurt.”

As she held his hand, he stared directly into her eyes and lightly squeezed her hand two times - their secret way of saying of I love you. Then he went into cardiac arrest and passed away. Marilyn would never see him smile again.

John was hit and killed by a truck when he was collecting his mail. An alert was put out for the driver, who did not stop at the crash scene. The 20-year-old, who turned himself in, said he thought he hit a snowbank or mailbox. He also admitted to texting while driving. Investigators reported the driver’s eyes were off the road for seven seconds.

After a five-day trial, the driver was acquitted of all charges. Marilyn decided more needed to be done to raise distracted driving awareness and laws needed to be changed to hold distracted drivers accountable.

Her next journey

The local Junior Woman’s League approached Marilyn about planting a tree in John’s memory. Marilyn, however, had a different idea. She asked the women to purchase thumb bands for distribution throughout town, with messaging designed to encourage drivers not to text while driving.

At the local high school, the resource officer distributed the thumb bands. After an article about the effort was printed in the local newspaper, donations began to flow in for more thumb bands. Local businesses handed them out to customers, more donations came in.

Marilyn knew more needed to be done.

She actively sought out public speaking opportunities and became a passionate advocate for “hands free” driving legislation. Marilyn was contacted by Sue Centner of the Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS), which receives funding from State Farm.

“We heard about Marilyn and her courage, and wondered how sharing her story could help save lives in our Derry community and throughout New Hampshire,” said Sue. “Marilyn was determined to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”

Marilyn joined forces with CATS, the Derry Police Department, and Dartmouth’s Injury Prevention Center to produce a televised roundtable discussion about New Hampshire’s proposed hands free driving law. This program was distributed through the cable networks throughout the state.

Marilyn remained a positive force, working with local and state police, CATS, the NH Driving Toward Zero Coalition, and other highway safety advocates. They supported a legislative effort that resulted in New Hampshire becoming the 15th state to ban drivers from using hand-held electronic devices while driving. The law took effect on July 1, 2015.

Marilyn believes legislation and education efforts will help prevent further tragedies like hers. So she continues to share her story at high school assemblies, hoping to make a difference.

“I remember, after Marilyn finished speaking during one presentation, the students spontaneously stood and applauded,” said Sue from CATS. “Marilyn clearly made an impact and she continues to do so throughout the state and at national traffic safety conferences.”

Marilyn is committed to preventing this type of tragedy from happening to others. “John was incredibly generous and dedicated much of his time to his community, serving as a firefighter for 18 years and as the fire chief for four,” she said. “He was an umpire, a master gardener, and a well-known columnist for a local newspaper.”

“One thing that would make me happy is to have the driver responsible for John’s death to join me at speaking engagements,” said Marilyn. “I think he could be a phenomenal advocate and that could be a big step in the healing process for us both.”

Bloomington, Ill., December 8, 2015 – According to the annual survey conducted by State Farm, drivers continue to be in favor of laws restricting cellphone use while driving, yet they are still using them.

For seven years State Farm has surveyed consumers regarding their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to distracted driving, revealing trends over time. A number of interesting trends have been revealed:

Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving has decreased:

• 2009 – 65 percent
• 2015 – 51 percent

Texting while driving has stayed nearly the same:

• 2009 – 31 percent
• 2015 – 36 percent

Accessing the Internet while driving has more than doubled:

• 2009 – 13 percent
• 2015 – 29 percent

Other significant increases include using GPS, reading and responding to email, and reading and updating social media networks.

In consideration of the multitude of distractions the Internet can bring to drivers, the annual survey has also been following trends in smartphone ownership over the past five years, broken into age categories. In 2015, a large majority, 88 percent, of drivers with cellphones own smartphones, and over five years the most dramatic increase has been among drivers over 40 years of age.

The percentage of drivers with cellphones who own smartphones:

• Ages 18 – 29: 78 percent in 2011 and 99 percent in 2015
• Ages 30 – 39: 65 percent in 2011 and 97 percent in 2015
• Ages 40 – 49: 47 percent in 2011 and 92 percent in 2015
• Ages 50 – 64: 44 percent in 2011 and 79 percent in 2015
• Ages 65+: 23 percent in 2011 and 69 percent in 2015

"It's interesting to observe how the number and types of distractions available on cellphones have grown over the years we have conducted this annual survey," said Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. "We want to remind people that despite these and other demands on your attention when driving, please stay 100% focused on your drive."

What is most likely to stop drivers from texting while driving? The survey specifically asked drivers who regularly text while driving to select their top deterrents, and their responses were 1) causing a crash while reading or responding to a text message, 2) financial and/or legal consequences, and 3) getting caught by police.

"These responses about deterrents highlight the need for a multi-pronged approach to curbing distracted driving," said Mullen. "Potential solutions lie in a combination of education and awareness, technology, regulation and enforcement."

The full report and more information can be found at: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72928510-state-farm-distracted-driving-survey/

About the Survey

In August 2009 and 2010, and each year in July from 2011 to 2015, the State Farm Strategic Resources Department used an outside panel vendor to conduct an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 18+. Survey responses were received from approximately 1,000 consumers each year, who identified themselves as having some insurance and financial responsibility for their household.

“I never imagined a simple text message could change lives forever. It was an ignorant, terrible, selfish choice that will haunt me for the rest of my life,” shared Reggie Shaw.

On September 22, 2006, then 19-year old Reggie was driving to work on a country road in Logan, Utah. His car crossed the center line and causing a crash killing two men. Phone records revealed at the time of the collision, Reggie was sending a text message.

Reggie was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 200 hours of community service and one year probation for negligent homicide. The public uproar over his case led Utah to pass stronger distracted driving laws with stiffer penalties. Today, his phone is always turned off when he’s behind the wheel.

Since the deadly crash, Reggie has shared his story with thousands, dedicating his life to speaking about the dangers of texting while driving.

“I learned the hard way how deadly distracted driving can be,” he said. “Every time I look in the mirror I see someone who took lives in a crash that didn’t have to happen.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic. In 2014, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. . Because of this major societal issue, the month of April is dedicated to raising awareness about distracted driving.

For many years, State Farm has researched this issue; and for the last seven years, has annually published a Distracted Driving Survey. The survey follows trends in drivers’ attitudes and behaviors when it comes to distracted driving.

While a large majority of drivers support laws prohibiting cellphone use while driving, people are still using their phones while behind the wheel. To read more about the latest State Farm survey, click here.

To end distracted driving, everyone needs to do their part. To learn more about what you can do and commit to distraction-free driving, please visit distraction.gov.

Related Links2013 State Farm Distracted Driving Survey

2012 State Farm Distracted Driving Survey

Auto Safety Learning Center homepage

Nikhil Badlani, an 11 year old, sixth grader from West Orange, NJ, was an exemplary student and son. He was a talented musician and actor, he excelled in his studies, particularly in mathematics, and was loved by many. Sadly, his short, inspirational life ended abruptly when one driver made a poor decision.

On June 11, 2011, Nikhil and his father were traveling in their van, not far from their home. As they approached an intersection, their van was struck causing it to roll over. An oncoming car then hit the car a second time.

Nikhil’s father received treatment for injuries; however, Nikhil did not survive. The cause of the crash? A distracted driver. Failing to stop at the intersection, they blew right past a stop sign, striking the Badlani’s van.

Those few seconds changed the Badlani family and their community forever.

Shortly after the crash, friends poured out their hearts to express their sorrow.

“You were all I could ask for as a friend and more,” said one mourner.

“I miss you,” said a 6th grade classmate.

“You would’ve gone on to do spectacular things. I will never forget you,” another added.

Nikhil’s band teacher said, “You were a talented trumpet player, an aspiring actor, a leader and a scholar – straight A’s. Your band room cubby will remain vacant bearing your name tag.”

“After the funeral, when friends and family were gathered at our home, devastated by the tragedy, Nikhil’s uncle suggested we start a foundation in Nikhil’s memory,” said Nikhil’s mother, Sangeeta Badlani.

“Education and traffic safety awareness became our number one goal, but because of Nikhil’s love of music, we also wanted to provide free music lessons to need-based students,” Sangeeta continued. “The West Orange Fine Arts Department Supervisor supported our idea and has been our partner since the inception of the Foundation.”

In July of 2011, Sangeeta formed the Nikhil Badlani Foundation.

Sixth through twelfth grade West Orange students who display musical talent and promise, but have financial limitations, are eligible for the Music for Nikhil program. Each week, the program provides hour-long sessions at no cost to need-based students and at a reduced cost for others. Since its first year, the initiative has from 20 students to 53.

“Nikhil loved to play his trumpet, and a few weeks before the accident had been accepted to play in the Youth Orchestra of Essex County Orchestra,” said Sangeeta. “He was so excited about starting trumpet lessons. His first lesson was to be held on June 15. Sadly he never got to realize his dream.”

To support local students further, the Foundation created the Nikhil Badlani Scholarship program, which provides monetary awards to West Orange High School seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, good character, artistic ability, and community involvement, in addition to financial need. “We had four scholarship winners this year,” said Sangeeta, “and we were able to give them $2,000 each toward their college careers. Selected students are not only chosen for their strong academic performance, but also their involvement in music and/or drama.”

Aiming to develop a fun, creative and impactful way to educate teens on driver safety, the Foundation started the Traffic Safety Artwork Project. With the help of supporters like State Farm Insurance, the Foundation helps students brainstorm what traffic safety looks like to them. The students then translate their ideas into sketches for inclusion in a final artwork.

With the help of local artist Cindy Klein, the artwork is transformed into colorful murals – some as big as 6X6 feet - to be displayed at the school and/or public places, such as town libraries, shopping plazas, or rest areas. This year for National Youth Traffic Safety Month, New Jersey Transit buses, light rails and train stations throughout Essex County displayed posters of the artwork.

Through the duration of the program, the Foundation visits students a minimum of three times, providing teen driver safety education while the students create their projects.

“Nikhil spoke very passionately about how some drivers did not respect the rules of the road,” said Nikhil’s father, Sunil Badlani. “A few hours before on the day of the accident, Nikhil had commented on how a driver was speeding and weaving. His loss cannot be in vain and should be an awakening to all drivers on the road.”

It was a day that started like any other day. School was out. Summer was just getting underway. Seventeen year-old Brian Garlock awoke early and went to his summer job cleaning rental properties with his friend in Pineville, North Carolina.

Just before noon on this ordinary Thursday, following behind his friend's car, Brian turned left - not realizing there was a truck driving toward him. The truck hit Brian’s car on the driver’s side door with an impact so great his car spun 180 degrees. He was then struck by another pick-up truck. Although he was rushed by ambulance to the nearest hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to the main trauma center in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina; Brian’s surgeon notified his family he did not survive.

Tammy’s Devastating Discovery

Nine days after an accident that changed Brian’s family forever, his parents had the unimaginable responsibility of dealing with what remained of Brian’s car. They had given it to him one week prior to the crash that claimed his life. As his mother, Tammy, was diligently searching to get everything from the car that had to do with her child, she spotted something wedged behind what used to be the driver’s-side area. Tammy was determined to retrieve the item. Crawling through twisted metal and over broken glass, what she found was Brian’s cell phone - still intact.

She took the phone home and plugged it in to charge. What she discovered after turning on the phone was a devastating truth. At the time Brian was making that left-hand turn behind his friend’s car, he was also attempting to call his girlfriend to let her know he was running late for their lunch. He never saw the truck barreling down on him. Brian Garlock was fatally distracted in that instant by his cell phone. His family will never be the same. The grief of losing him continues.

An Instant Message Reminder

Tammy Garlock is now on a mission to save others from experiencing the type of tragedy her family went through. She is a strong advocate for teen driver safety. She collaborates with safety partners, including State Farm. She also speaks at schools and driver’s education classes.

She hopes the pink and black “Remember Brian” bracelets created in her son’s memory will serve as an instant message of a different kind. Tammy encourages drivers to remember how quickly things can go wrong when reaching for, or using a phone, while driving.

“Make a better choice than my son did that day. The life you end up saving could very well be your own.”

You can learn more about Tammy’s efforts and make a pledge to stop using your phone while driving on her website, DyingChangesEverything.org.

How do we manage these risks effectively? What behaviors are the most critical to a safe driving experience? And how can we encourage drivers to take personal responsibility for adopting more of these safety-conscious behaviors?

Engaged Driving occurs when drivers actively devote sufficient attention to actions critical to safe driving. It’s our goal for all drivers to have this level of engagement at all times. That’s why State Farm chose to name this safety effort the “Engaged Driving Initiative.”

When it comes to tackling safety issues, at State Farm we employ the Research to Action business model. The  Engaged Driving Initiative will be no different.

We will first consider if there are research gaps we need to address in order to truly understand the problem. Once identified, we will engage in the research, enabling us to better understand the full nature of the issue of distracted driving. This will ultimately help us develop solutions that will improve safety for everyone who shares our roadways.

Distracted driving is a very complex issue, and there has been a great deal of research conducted to learn more about the problem. Some research involves in-vehicle cameras, others use driving simulators. Some experts do observational studies while others study crash data or conduct surveys.

We believe there is value to studying distracted driving from all these perspectives.

Based on our success with past safety initiatives, we knew our Engaged Driving research had the best chance for success if we reached out to others with a broad range of perspectives and areas of expertise. But how best to identify and reach the people and groups with the most to contribute to this effort?

For this, we turned to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). As an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to motor vehicle crash injury control and prevention, AAAM was the perfect partner to help us bring together a panel of experts to identify the current state-of-the-science and identify gaps needing further investigation.

Engaged Driving Symposium: March 31, 2014

To launch the Engaged Driving Initiative, and in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Farm sponsored the Engaged Driving Symposium in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2014.

The AAAM with support from State Farm, gathered a panel of top experts representing a broad range of expertise in the field of safe driving. The panel spent the past year preparing research reports on the latest science around distracted driving. At the symposium, they told us where there are gaps that need further exploration.

These experts shared their findings at a small, professional Engaged Driving Symposium on Monday, March 31st, in Washington, D.C. We made the symposium available to everyone in a free, live webcast during the event.

The full symposium is also available on-demand: Engaged Driving Symposium (March 31, 2014, Washington D.C.)

The symposium coincided with the release of a special issue of the AAAM journal, The Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, containing peer-reviewed papers authored by this group of experts. The full journal or individual papers can be downloaded for free at www.aaam.org.

Employing the Research to Action business model, State Farm is using the body of research contained in the journal and presented at the Engaged Driving Symposium to guide us in our next steps toward tackling the dangerous problem of distracted driving.