Global Youth Traffic Safety Month Kicks Off With State Attorneys General PSAs in 17 States

ARLINGTON, Va., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Timed with May's designation as Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, The Century Council and 17 Attorneys General from across the United States released public service announcements (PSAs) for the IKnowEverything program. Bringing parents and kids together, IKnowEverything reinforces that parents are one of the most influential driving instructors for their teen drivers and reminds teens that they "really do know everything."

Most parents have years of driving experience, feel they are qualified instructors to teach safe driving, and most importantly, parents care deeply about their children and want them to be safe. Teens are typically overly confident and think they're invincible, especially when it comes to driving. IKnowEverything bridges this generational gap by prompting thoughtful conversations between parents and their teens to keep everyone safe on our roadways.

IKnowEverything reinforces that teens already "know everything" about how to be a safe driver and covers critical topics including underage drinking alcohol and driving, distracted driving, late night driving, speeding, number of passengers, and license restrictions. Often overlooked in driver's education class, parents, too, "know everything" and have a strong influence over their teen's driving behaviors – for better or for worse.  

"I am proud of my fellow Attorneys General for acknowledging Global Youth Traffic Safety Month as an opportune time for reminding parents and teen drivers to communicate about teen driver safety.  The IKnowEverything program is modern and fast-paced, just like today's kids; I have no doubt that if parents use it as a tool to start the all-important dialogue about how teens 'know everything' about safe driving, the conversation will have greater impact," said Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler.

In the PSA, Attorneys General encourage parents to speak to their kids about the risks they face on the roadways and encourage them to pay attention 100% of the time. The PSAs will begin airing around the country this month on the Attorneys' General websites and other digital platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Pandora.

In addition to the PSA, IKnowEverything includes a supporting website (www.IKnowEverything.com) which includes downloadable information for students and parents as well as a facilitator's guide for teen driver safety practitioners.

The Century Council has teamed up with The International Association of Chiefs of Police Foundation, the National Sheriffs Association and The National Organizations for Youth Safety to distribute program materials to law enforcement officials, juvenile judges, educators, and traffic safety professionals across the nation to increase teen driving safety.

Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of The Century Council, added, "We trust this PSA featuring the Attorneys General will encourage conversations between parents and new teen drivers, and we believe we will save lives across the country through our awareness efforts. Parents may or may not believe it, but they wield an incredible influence over their teens and we hope they will not only encourage their kids to be safe drivers, but that parents will act as great role models behind the wheel, too."

About The Century Council
The Century Council is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam, Inc.; Brown-Forman; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and Pernod Ricard USA.  Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, The Century Council is a leader in the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision making regarding beverage alcohol.  The Century Council develops and implements innovative programs and public awareness campaigns and promotes action through strategic partnerships.  Established in 1991, The Century Council's initiatives are highlighted on its website at www.centurycouncil.org.

CONTACT
Darron Moffatt, The Century Council
[email protected]; (202) 637-0077

SOURCE The Century Council