In observance of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Michelin is teaming up with NFL great Emmitt Smith to encourage dialogue between parents and their teen drivers. Michelin’s “Coaching Your Teen Driver” effort provides a playbook full of tips, hands-on drills and tools that parents can use as a conversation starter to help teens master safe driving skills.
“The classroom is just the starting point for teaching the next generation of safe drivers. What is really important is for parents to share their own safe driving stories with their teens and making sure the teens have a chance to practice their new skills,” said Scott Clark, chief operating officer for Michelin North America and head of the company’s passenger car business. “During National Teen Driver Safety Week, we’re joining with gridiron great Emmitt Smith to start a national conversation encouraging parents to read the playbook and practice the safe-driving drills with their teenage drivers.”
Michelin’s “Coaching Your Teen Driver” handbook is designed to provide practical advice with the goal of making young drivers more game ready. The game plan includes key offensive and defensive driving plays that parents and teen drivers can practice together, according to the tiremaker.
“As parents, we play a critical role in coaching our teens to be safe drivers. Having recently taught my son EJ how to drive, I know how nerve-wracking it can be for us – and them! Keeping a cool head on the road starts with a strategy and a plan – that’s where Michelin’s resources for coaching your teen driver can help,” said Emmitt Smith.
All drivers are encouraged to join the national conversation by sharing their own playbook tips for safe driving using the hashtag #SharingSafety.
The Handbook’s offensive plays include proactive maneuvers that will help emerging drivers take the wheel with confidence. These include: adjusting your mirrors, changing lanes, passing safely, and merging onto the highway.
The Handbook’s defensive plays cover critical maneuvers and practices that drivers need to respond safely to road conditions and other drivers. These include: dealing with tailgaters, maintaining a safe distance, driving near large trucks, and driving in inclement weather.
Other topics in the playbook include starting with a game plan so drivers have a clear goal and route for each trip, knowing when to take a timeout, as well as practical tips for vehicle and tire maintenance.
