New web site for teen drivers

New web site for teen drivers

TakeTheWheel.net aims to educate teens and save lives

POSTED 10/08/2008 - The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has launched a Web site for teen driver safety at www.TakeTheWheel.net. The new Web site, created by teens for teens, challenges young drivers to take charge when they take the wheel. DHSMV announced the new Web site at Leon High School with students and other special guests.

"The Department is proactive in our focus on safe driving, and we continue to reach out to teen drivers and their parents through outreach initiatives like Take the Wheel," said Executive Director Electra Theodorides-Bustle. "This teen-based Web site is the first of its kind in Florida as it is interactive and allows teens drivers to share their experiences with peers. We encourage driver’s education instructors to use it as a tool, too."

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers in our state and the nation. In Florida alone, more than 36,000 teen drivers were involved in crashes last year. Also in 2007, more than 479 people were killed in an accident where a teen was driving.

"Learning good driving habits from the beginning is essential," said Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Colonel John Czernis. "It is up to parents, teachers, law enforcement officers and other teens to stress to new drivers that with the privilege of driving comes a great amount of responsibility."

Thanks to the cooperative efforts of DHSMV and grant funding provided through the Florida Department of Transportation, www.TakeTheWheel.net offers teens a chance to talk about their experiences with others, give advice, listen, learn and challenge one another to take charge of their own actions behind the wheel. This is a great example of state agencies partnering to serve Floridians.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is charged with the mission of providing highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a Safer Florida by way of three major components: driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov.