Graduation time is here! June can be an exciting time of the year for many teens and their families. While graduation is an important benchmark and a stepping stone for the future, it is also the perfect time to remind your teen drivers about the importance of safe, distraction-free driving.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among American teenagers. The risk of an accident is four times higher for teens 16 to 19 years old compared to older drivers. Fortunately, as a parent, you can make a difference in keeping your teens safe on the road.

So before your teens get too busy with graduation season, talk to them about the importance of driving safety and ways they can have an accident-free graduation. Here are five driving safety concerns you should talk with your teen about.

1. Speeding
Excessive speeding is not only costly, it is also one of the top five driver-related errors for teenage driving involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Speeding not only worsens the severity of an accident, it also decreases the amount of time drivers have to react to unexpected circumstances, thus increasing their risk of an accident. Remind your teen that even if they are running late, speeding is unacceptable and the amount of time and money wasted if you are pulled over and ticketed is not worth it.

2. Passenger Distractions
Studies have shown that fatal crashes involving young drivers are much more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. So talk to your child about limiting the number of teenage passengers in their car to one or two passengers, especially if they are driving at night.

3. Night Time and Weekend Driving
According to studies, more than half of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths occur on the weekend between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Driving at night is not only more difficult for the driver because of decreased visibility, it is also more dangerous because there is an increased risk of driving near an intoxicated motorist. While most graduation ceremonies and parties occur in the evening, you should always minimize the amount of time your teen spends on the road at night. But if night-time driving is unavoidable, always have your teen call or text to check-in, once they have arrived safely at their final destination.

4. Texting While Driving
While constant communication with your teen driver is key to keeping your child safe during graduation season, you should remind your teen to always safely pull-over to the side of the road before they send a text or make a phone call. Using a cell-phone while driving is not only illegal in many states, it also significantly increases the risk of a fatal car accident.

5. Illegal Activities
While you should always encourage your child to abstain from illegal activities such as drinking or doing drugs, you should also be realistic and talk to your teen about what to do if they find themselves in a situation where either they or their ride is unfit to drive. Remind them that they should never drive even if they’ve only had one drink. Consider providing your teen with extra cash just in case they need to take a cab.

Visit Allstate.com to create a Parent-Teen contract – a family partnership committing to safer driving.

As the weather finally warms up, many avid bicyclists and runners have started to hit the streets in order to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors. This means that next time you are driving, cars are not the only things on the road you need to pay attention to! While it can be frustrating to share the road, here are three tips to keep yourself, your fellow bicyclists and runners safe on the road:

1. Drive Defensively
When you are stressed and stuck in traffic, the last thing you may want to deal with is a bicyclists or runner on the street, but remember, as a driver in your car, you should always yield to runners and bicyclists because even an accident at very low speeds can cause significant injuries.

2. Avoid Distractions
Since bikers and runners are more mobile than cars, they may appear in your lane without much warning. Keeping your eyes on the road and refraining from using your cell phone is the best way to avoid an accident.

3. Avoid Road Rage
While it can be tempting to take your aggression out on that bicyclists or runner, maintaining your composure and avoiding conflict is the best way to handle any problems. Take a deep breath, regroup your thoughts and pull over, in order to calm down before you resume driving.

Find more tips on how to safely share the road with bicyclists at Allstate.com.

If you are in the market for a new car and are wondering what to do with your old clunker, don’t automatically assume you need to buy ads in the classifieds or trade it in.

Often times, if your car is fairly old or needs repairs that cost more than the value of your car, the hassle and money loss by using classifieds or trading in your car may not be worth your time or money. But, before you give up, you should know that you have a few options to get rid of that clunker, some of which are actually for a good cause.

If you are not ready to part ways with your old car, consider this: purchasing a new car may actually be good for the environment. With auto manufacturers still struggling and offering great deals on cars and new fuel efficiency laws, today’s new cars are more fuel efficient and better for the environment. In fact, with the EPA’s new standards for fuel economy and green house gas emission levels for new passenger cars, America is expected to conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce nearly a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are three ways to get rid of your clunker, beyond reselling your car:

1. Recycle old cars.
Cars that are not in driving condition are often put in landfills which can be damaging to the environment. In fact, according to GreenVehicleDiposal.com 408,000 tons of car materials fill landfills ever year. When you recycle your car with environmentally friendly organizations such as Green Vehicle Disposal, a “green” recycling method is used to reduce the amount of car parts put into a landfill.

2. Donate old cars.
There are many organizations, such as Free Charity Cars, Cars 4 Causes and the Salvation Army, that will pick up your car and use it for causes such as sustainable farming and eliminating homelessness. Many car donations are also tax deductible, but because of recent changes in tax laws, you should check the IRS database first.

3. Sell the Parts.
If your car is no longer in driving condition, consider taking it to a local junk yard or scrap metal yard. Junk yards specialize in car replacement parts, so you may be able to make a profit off the parts that are still useable and in good condition. Scrap metal yards will purchase scrap metal by the pound, so if you have a big car, you may be able to make a significant amount of money. Always remember to shop around for the best offer and negotiate for the best deal.

Recently, a chain email was circulated about tips for driving in the rain and snow. After reading this email, I was very intrigued. Were these tips actually true? Will wearing sunglasses at night and during rain really increase my visibility?

Because I am always looking for ways to improve my safety on the road, I decided to do some research into driving safety myths. Surprisingly, the email I received had quite a few good tips, but some of them needed clarification.

Myth: During rain, put on any pair of sunglasses to increase your visibility
- Only polarized sunglasses may increase your visibility. During rain, snow or fog, light waves are scattered at many angles, making it difficult to see. Polarized sunglasses have polarizing filters that block out the obstructive horizontal light ray, possibly making it easier to see details such as road marking through rain, and helping to see further in fog or smog for daytime driving. Unfortunately, normal sunglasses cannot reduce glare as effectively as polarized sunglasses.
- When purchasing polarized sunglasses, choose a reputable brand that specializes in sunglasses for sports or driving. While these sunglasses may be slightly more expensive, they will also work more effectively.

Fact: When it is snowing or raining, never drive in the rain with cruise control.
- While you may believe that driving at a consistent speed in the rain will increase your safety, driving with cruise control when the roads are wet is actually more dangerous. According to The National Safety Commission (TNSC), cruise control may cause your car’s tires to lose contact with the pavement and hydro-plane, even at speeds as low as 35 mph.
- During heavy rain, TNSC recommends that you take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down your car. Unless you have anti-lock breaks, you should never apply the brakes until your car’s speed is reduced. Because cruise control can only be disabled when you apply your brakes, it is best to turn it off before the roads are wet to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

In the summer of 2006, Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition after he was in motorcycle accident while not wearing a helmet. Luckily for Ben, he only had a broken jaw and nose and did not suffer any serious, life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, some motorcyclists are not as lucky.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association [NHTSA], motorcycle fatalities represent approximately five perfect of all highway fatalities each year and approximately 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death, compared to 20 percent for automobiles. In fact, according the NHSTA, motorcyclists are more than 37 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car.

A 2007 NHTSA report on motorcycle fatalities indicates that there is a direct correlation between a head injury and helmet use. Around 51 percent of unhelmeted motorcyclists suffered a head injury compared to 35 percent of helmeted motorcyclists.

Helmets are the single most important factor in surviving a motorcycle accident. Between 1984 and 2006, the NHTSA estimates that helmets have saved more than 19,000 lives.

In 1995, Congress rescinded its helmet policy. Currently, only 20 states and the District of Columbia have a law requiring all riders to wear helmets. For an updated list of helmet laws by state, refer to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s helmet laws guide.

While in some states wearing a helmet is a matter of choice, there is some pretty compelling statistics that say wearing one can go a long way to helping you survive a crash and ride another day. Here are five ideas from Motorcycle Cruiser on how to pick the right helmet for you:

1. DOT Certification
Regardless of price, color or style, you should always ensure there is a D.O.T. (U.S. Department of Transportation) sticker on the back. This sticker indicates that the helmet meets D.O.T. safety standards, including the ability to soak up a significant amount of impact energy and the ability to prevent penetration and withstand significant force. You can find a list of helmets that meet these standards at the NHTSA site .

2. Roll-Off Test
One of the most important characteristics of a good helmet is whether or not it will stay on your head. To check this, first fasten the strap snugly around your chin. Then, grab the back of the helmet and try to lift it up and roll it forward off your head. A good helmet should not be able to come off, regardless of the amount of force you use.

3. Fit
A good helmet must fit snugly so that it is stable, even when you shake your head. A full-face or open-face helmet should grip your cheeks and jaw as well as the top and sides of your head. And remember, sizes can vary depending on the brand, so always remember to try the helmet on before you make a purchase.

4. Comfort
While your helmet should always fit snugly around your head, a good helmet should always be comfortable. Finding a comfortable helmet may take time, but finding the perfect helmet will also make your ride more enjoyable. Features that can make a helmet more comfortable include padding, a neck roll and a seal around the ear.

5. Coverage
There are three types of helmets: open-face helmets, half helmets and full-face helmets. Each of these offers a different level of coverage for your face. Full-face helmets provide the most protection, followed by an open-face helmet and a half-helmet. A 2003 UCLA study on motorcycle accidents, found that motorcyclists with facial injuries are 3.5 times more likely to have brain injuries. Those with facial fractures are 6.5 time more likely to have such injuries than those without facial damage. So, protecting your face with a full-coverage helmet can not only prevent a life-threatening injury, it can also save your life.

For more information about choosing a proper motorcycle helmet and motorcycle safety, you can visit Allstate’s page on motorcycle safety.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association [NHTSA], in 2006, motorcyclists were 37 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car.

Whether you are a seasoned rider or a rookie, riding a motorcycle comes with considerable risk and responsibility, more so than driving an automobile. For riders, even small mistakes can cause horrific accidents because motorcycles have less protective cushioning and bulk to soften the impact of accidents.

In addition to taking all the necessary precautions of driving a car, motorcyclists must be particularly vigilant while on their bikes, especially when there is heavy traffic.

Here are some common mistakes riders make, courtesy of the NHTSA:
1. Failing to use defensive driving techniques
While defensive driving is important for all drivers, riders, in particular, should be aware of their surroundings and expect the worse. Don’t assume other drivers will yield to you and always be aware of traffic patterns. Anticipate problems and road hazards so you can slow down before reaching the problem.

2. Lacking braking and cornering skills
While motorcycles are lighter and more agile than passenger cars, there is also a learning curve associated with operating a motorcycle. Be especially alert when you are near intersections because approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-vehicle collisions occur there.

3. Selecting a motorcycle that’s not a good fit
While a large motorcycle with immense power may be appealing, you should buy a motorcycle that you can handle safely. Large motorcycles are heavy and you must be strong enough to push it or pick it up when you fall over. You should also consider the functionality of your bike.

4. Forgetting about the limitations of a motorcycle
Always remember to familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual and attend a motorcycle training course. A professional class can provide you with the knowledge and skills you may not learn when your friend teaches you how to ride.

5. Being inconsiderate
Avoid weaving in and out of stalled traffic and riding on shoulders. Being inconsiderate can aggravate other drivers and cause them to react negatively, putting both of you at risk.

[Source] National Highway Traffic Safety Association

Have you ever gotten French fries for the road only to find that dipping and eating on-the-go is extremely difficult? Well, those days of trying to squeeze packets of ketchup over your fries may be over.

Recently Heinz Ketchup unveiled a new ketchup pack shaped like a shallow cup to make dipping-on-the-go easier. This redesign comes after researchers at Heinz determined that since many of their customers used ketchup in the car, squeezable packets were inconvenient.

Heinz designers found that drivers wanted something they could place on the arm rest so they could dunk and drive without getting ketchup all over their clothes.

While some ketchup and fast food enthusiast may rejoice over this new redesign, I can’t help but wonder about the implications this has for driving safety. Last summer, Exxon surveyed 1000 drivers and discovered more than 70 percent of drivers eat while driving and 83 percent drink beverages while on the road.

These statistics are staggering, considering a 2006 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study shows that 80 percent of car accidents and 65 percent of near-accidents are caused by drivers who are distracted, which includes eating or drinking on the road.

Dunking French fries into ketchup not only forces you to take one hand off of the steering wheel and your eyes off of the road, thinking about getting the perfect fry to ketchup ratio can also be distracting and increase your risk for an accident.

So before you start dipping, you may want to think twice before you bring your French fries to-go in the car. While those piping hot fries and ketchup may be immediately satisfying, they are not worth a potentially devastating car accident.

Here are other foods to avoid while on the road:
1. Hot beverages – while hot coffee or tea may be a great way to start your morning, hot beverages can spill and burn your skin and stain your clothes if you drive over a road bump.
2. Tacos and burritos – these can disassemble easily and turn your car into a salad bar.
3. Wings – messy and sticky, wings can require both hands and lots of napkins which will increase your risk for a car accident.

Recently, Toyota recalled over 5 million cars involving gas pedals that stick causing certain vehicles to accelerate uncontrollably.

With 52 reported deaths linked to runaway Toyotas, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the Obama administration is considering requiring all cars and truck sold in the U.S. to have brakes that can override gas pedals.

So what do you do if your gas pedal sticks? Driving a car that is stuck in accelerate is an unimaginable task, therefore, here are five things you should do if you believe your gas pedal is stuck:

1. Do NOT pump the brake. Pumping your brakes can actually deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist and make your brakes less effective.

2. Step on the brake pedal with both feet. Consumer Reports recommends applying firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal. Once your car stops, turn off the engine.

3. Shift your transmission into Neutral.

4. Turn your engine off if you are unable to put the vehicle in Neutral. Although this will not cause loss of steering or brake control, power assist to these systems will be lost.

5. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition. To turn off your engine, turn the ignition key to the ACC position. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition because it will cause your steering wheel to lock.

Source: Toyota Recall Website

Last year, as more Americans became aware of the need for conservation and alternative energy, the Obama administration released a set of auto standards that would mandate an increased fuel economy and impose greenhouse gas standards on the nation’s cars and trucks starting with 2012 models.

Currently, California and about a dozen other states have similar laws mandating levels of emissions, so according to President Obama; these new standards will help auto companies’ predictability by removing the uncertainty behind state regulations on auto emission standards.

These changes would place corporate average fuel economy [CAFE] standards to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. With this increase in fuel efficiency, drivers could save, on average, $2,800, over the lifetime of vehicles sold in the next five years, and 1.8 billion barrels of oil.

CAFE originated in Congress in 1975 with the Energy Policy Conservation Act which nearly doubled new car fuel economy by 1985. While the enforcement of CAFE standards was divided between two distinct government agencies, Obama’s new rule will support greater collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation.
While environmentalists have praised these new CAFE standards as the first step towards a greener, less oil dependent country, some have criticized the new rules for being unrealistic. Opponents have argued that the only way auto makers will be able to meet these standards is to either increase the price of each car sold or drastically reduce the size of the cars they produce. Both options, they claim, will reduce the number of options available to buyers.

According to the New York Times, these changes, regardless of their popularity, should improve America’s image of excessive consumption of natural resources. With increasing international scrutiny on America’s environmental policies, these new standards are expected to increase America’s negotiation position at the upcoming United Nations climate conference.

So what are your thoughts? Do you think these sweeping changes on America’s fuel efficiency and emissions standards will change the direction of America’s auto industry?

For more information on how to improve your car’s fuel economy, visit Allstate.com.

For Americans of all ethnic backgrounds, there is no better reason for a celebration than Saint Patrick’s Day* and no better place to celebrate Irish heritage than in my home town of Chicago.

Chicago traditions for the day include two of the biggest parades in the U.S. and the dyeing of the Chicago River green. Unfortunately, Chicagoans learned a big lesson on why celebrating and drinking doesn’t necessarily mix as one tradition recently got out of hand. Last year authorities announced that the annual South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a 30 year tradition, was canceled for 2010 due to large rowdy crowds and drunken antics.
Celebrations across the country have become very dangerous due to excessive drinking and a large number of drunk drivers. On St. Patrick’s Day 2008, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Additional NHTSA statistics reveal that there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day in 2008. Of that number, 50 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist who was legally drunk.

So, with St. Patrick’s Day approaching and party plans developing, hosts and guests should add one more thing to their party checklist to ensure the celebration doesn’t get out of hand: a sober driver. Here are five additional tips for a safe St. Patrick’s Day celebration:

1. Plan a safe way home before the celebration begins;
2. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation if you’re impaired and are unable to drive;
3. Use the Sober Rides program, if your community has one;
4. Contact local law enforcement if you see a drunk driver on the road;
5. Take the keys from someone you know who is about to drive while impaired and help them make other travel arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Remember on St. Patrick’s Day and every day — Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.

For more information, visit the Impaired Driving Division of the NHTSA.

* NHTSA defines the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday as 6:00 p.m. March 16th through 6:59 a.m. on March 18th.