Bridgestone Teens Drive Smart Launches New Blog for Parents

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- You're driving down the road when Susie drops her sippy cup, again, and Johnny begs you to punch the 'play' button on the DVD player so his movie can start. It's no wonder parents are frazzled behind the wheel; with distractions coming from every angle, it's easy to miss a stop sign or float into the other lane.

In an effort to raise awareness about these topics and more, Bridgestone Teens Drive Smart announced today the launch of a new blog, Driving…With Children, where parents can share tips and learn how to better prepare their children to be safe drivers, and what to do when they hit the infamous teenage years.

Bridgestone released a survey earlier this year containing interesting results regarding teen drivers' habits and what they observe in their parents' driving habits.

"Bridgestone has focused most of our driver safety resources on teens, since statistics show distracted driving among that age group has reached epidemic levels," said Angela Patterson, Manager, Teens Drive Smart Program, Bridgestone Americas. "But as we dig further into our dialogue with teens, we've found there is a need to encourage parents to begin conversations early on with their younger children about safe driving, and continue to talk to them as they reach driving age."

Patterson continued, "It's never too early to begin those critical lessons in driving; we want to raise a generation of smart drivers who aim to make smart decisions behind the wheel, and we're hoping this site encourages that education."

Bridgestone's safety education initiatives are far-reaching. From the Teens Drive Smart Video Contest that awards scholarships to teens, to the Teens Drive Smart Driving Experience, a hands-on driver training program that travels to cities across the country, the company remains focused on education that leads to smart driving decisions. In addition to the new parent blog, TeensDriveSmart.com also houses a driving blog for teens, In the Driver's Seat.

"We want to get this conversation started between parents and children while they're young, in the hopes that kids will have a better chance of listening and retaining this information," said Patterson. "And who knows? As parents begin these important conversations with their children, it may allow them to look at their own driving behaviors and make positive changes when they're behind the wheel."

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.