"Safety is a priority for Toyota, and we are dedicated to helping drivers and passengers of all ages develop responsible habits to protect them on the road," said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president, national philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Discovery Education on Toyota Teen Driver to provide teens, parents and educators with the tools they need at this critical stage in teenagers' lives."
"Educators, alongside parents, are the number one influencers of young people," said Mary Rollins, vice president of education partnerships, Discovery Education. "Discovery Education is proud to partner with Toyota to provide the digital resources parents and educators need to positively impact student behavior behind the wheel."
Toyota Teen Driver offers the following content, tools and resources for teens, parents and educators, to help teens stay safe behind the wheel:
- Free
Dynamic Digital Curriculum, including lesson plans, activities and
discussion starters that empower educators to teach appropriate
behaviors to both young drivers and passengers. With these resources,
educators can help students to become more informed about the dangers of
distracted driving, enable them to learn about key safe driving
behaviors and inspire them to become advocates for safety to their
peers.
- Educator Competition that challenges teachers to
develop project-based driving safety lessons for high school students.
Entrants must utilize the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and the National Safety Council websites to develop one unit of study
as well as a public service announcement on teen driver safety. Prizes
include two Virtual Driving Interactive Simulators for their school's
Driver's Education program or Toyota Driving Expectations, a free
behind-the-wheel program for teens and their parents.
- Interactive
Road Driving Challenge, Heads Up!, which allows teens to virtually
experience some of the dangers of distracted driving. After playing
Heads Up! online, teens can enter to win one of ten $5,000 scholarship
cash prizes from Toyota.
- Parent-focused Resources that includes conversation starters, driving activities and a guide to help parents act as coaches while setting examples as safe drivers for their teens. The site aims to give parents the resources to identify best practices and have a place to go for critical peer support.
"Educating teens about the hazards they face behind the wheel and actions that teens and parents can take to minimize crash risks are important steps in preventing crashes involving young drivers," said, Janet Froetscher, president and CEO, National Safety Council. "We believe Toyota and Discovery Education's program will help accomplish those objectives."
For more information, please visit toyotateendriver.com.