A new safe driving campaign initiated by a local law firm wants to teach teens to drive under the right influence by encouraging parents to practice safer driving habits.
Cruise Control is a community outreach program created by Cape Girardeau law firm Cook, Barkett, Ponder and Wolz. Its goal is to reduce the number of traffic accidents involving young drivers by focusing on the five reasons teens are likely to crash: driver inexperience, distracted driving, speeding, using illegal substances and taking unnecessary risks.
The common thread among these crash-contributing factors is parental influence, which is why Cruise Control is a "reciprocal" program, according to Kathleen Wolz, a partner at the law firm.
"You see a lot of ‘don't text and drive' and lots of specific programs that tell teens not to do something," she said. "If you tell a teenager not to do something, you get that stare ... and if you as a parent do something after you say not to, it sends a bad message."
A key part of the program is the Cruise Control Safe Driving Pledge. Parents and teens sign the pledge and promise to practice good driving habits such as using a seat belt and insisting passengers use them as well; obeying speed limits and traffic laws; and not becoming distracted by cellphones, iPods or eating and drinking.
The pledge discourages the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, Wolz said, and is more effective than giving orders to young drivers. Setting a good example is the most effective first step to encouraging safe driving habits in young drivers, she added.
Using a seat belt is the simplest safety habit, Wolz said, but often is not practiced among young drivers.
"The statistics are unbelievable," said Wolz. "I think the most concerning statistic is that three out of four teens killed in traffic crashes [in 2011] weren't wearing a seat belt. It's just one little step that could help avoid so much tragedy."
Wolz has a personal connection to the program and its goals. In her profession, she has worked with families who have lost a child in a traffic accident. She also lost a family member of her own.
Nearly 26 years ago, Wolz lost her 17-year-old sister to a traffic accident. Had her sister used her seat belt, she said, the tragedy likely could have been avoided.
"Teens don't think about that," she said. "If something happens to them, they're not the only ones affected. Their families and their friends are affected, too."
Claire Landewee, 15, of Cape Girardeau, who has had her driving permit since July, said her parents already caution her to make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
"Oh, yeah, they always tell me ‘Don't look at your phone. Don't even think about looking at your phone while you're driving,'" she said.
She said she doesn't feel that driving is too difficult, and that she makes sure to watch out for other drivers.
When it comes to focusing on the road and driving undistracted, Landewee said, "I don't think people make enough effort. People drive crazy."
Caution and awareness among young drivers are the main goals of Cruise Control, Wolz said. Although the program is only weeks old, she said early reaction has been positive.
Local car dealerships and insurance agencies were eager to accept pamphlets with tips, statistics and program information, she said. Local high schools are displaying posters with the information, and Scott City High School has asked Wolz to speak to students about Cruise Control and to share her story.
"I know we're not going to change the statistics overnight," she said. "But if all of this saves even one kid -- good job."
Lexie McClanahan, also of Cape Girardeau, is 16 and has had her driver's license a little more than a month. She said learning to drive can be difficult because "it's not really like anything else." The many distractions can also be a problem, she admitted.
"At first, there's just so much to learn, and there are a lot of distractions," McClanahan said. "But you definitely get better at tuning them out and focusing more."
Just because she's focused on the road, she said, doesn't mean she takes the attentiveness of others for granted.
"That's always a worry of mine, what others around me are doing," she said. "I'm always trying to be aware of my surroundings and really watch and use my mirrors."
Those who wish to take the safe driving pledge or learn more about Cruise Control may go to semocruisecontrol.com or facebook.com/semocruisecontrol
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