I’m currently teaching one of my kid’s friends to drive and I will be helping her to shop for her first car after she gets her license next month too. Hannah is 23, she’s a young Mom with a 2 year old. Hannah is a great kid and a great Mom, and I’m happy to be there for her, and support her during this important milestone in her life. She works really hard to support her daughter and has put some money away for her new (used) car! She knows that driving is going to give her the freedom and independence that she needs and will open up all sorts of opportunities for her. She’ll have lots more choices for employment, as well as daycare providers, and she’s hoping to start taking classes at the local community college as well. Of course safety is hugely important to her. Most new drivers have to consider the safety of themselves, as well as the drivers around them. Hannah has the additional concern of keeping her super cute toddler safe too!
When it comes right down to it, it doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive as long as it’s safe and gets you where you need to go! And when it comes to vehicle safety … tire condition is a huge factor.
Michelin’s #firstcarmoment campaign was created to start the conversation about tire safety when driving your first car, although it applies to driving any car actually. Did you know that the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers? Scary! I had no idea that driving in the Summer could be so dangerous!
Here are some other facts that you may not know:
- 12% of the 2.2 Million accidents that occur each year with new drivers are due to tire safety issues
- 26% of those accidents are attributed to low tread depth
- 32% of those accidents are attributed to improper tire pressure
- Driving on tires that are under-inflated, or have low treads, means less traction on the road
Thankfully those types of accidents are preventable by regularly checking your tire pressure and learning how to check your tread depth.
To see some fun First Car Moments, be sure and watch the video below, I promise it will make you smile!
Or follow the #FirstCarMoment Conversation with Michelin on:
Hannah and I have been having fun doing a little preliminary car shopping… so many pretty colors! But when the day comes that she purchases her first car, we’ll be much more focused on good safe tires rather than a fun color!
And Now for the Awesome Giveaway!
Answer the following question to be entered to win a set of Michelin Premier LTX Tires!!
When it comes to road/car safety, what do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started driving?
*Disclosure – A set of tires for giveaway and compensation were provided for this post by Michelin as a part of a partnership with SheKnows. All opinions are my own.
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4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the [email protected] email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/9/2015 – 7/31/2015
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Kim Totten says
So true that tire safety is of utmost importance! Worn treads or tires not inflated properly obviously lessens the amount of control you have over your vehicle.
Marilyn R says
Always be sure to check tire pressure if your car has been sitting idle while you’re on vacation! Keep in mind the different seasons and check the tread and check for little nicks and things that could damage the aidewall
Remember your big car rides on the tires! So take good care of them
carol sloan says
I know that I will be aging myself here but we rarely wore seat belts when I stared driving. We did all kinds of stupid things (like hanging on the top of a car while driving in the neighborhood). But the seat belts – I don’t even start my car now without buckling up!
Linda says
My boyfriend is a mechanic for a living, yes good tires are important to have for road safety and also help you save on gas by them being in good shape. Hope you will have a mechanic go with you when it is time for Amber to pick out a car at the dealers or anywhere, so many people scam and sell junk cars!
Truly wishing Amber the best, I was a single mom also with a baby and it is very hard to make ends meet when you have little or no support. So nice of you to offer her driving lessons, I don’t know her but from 1 mom to another thank-you for that!
Jean Arizona says
I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who frequently checks my tires to ensure that they are properly inflated and not worn. Thanks for the opportunity to win…I have a grandchild who could sure use the help.
Jeanne says
I have learned that there are tire stores around that will check your tires for free. The ‘health’ of your tires can change the way your car handles, the amount of miles per gallon you get and can prevent a blow-out or avoid leaving you stranded with other tire issues.
NARTIA says
I started driving at 16. There were no seat belts or car seats for children. I wish I had fully understood the great responsibility that comes with driving. That is more than just being able to get from point A to point B without wrecking your car or hurting someone else. Your safe driving affects the safety, life and future of not only you both fellow drivers on the road!
MARE says
Now I know several things that I wasn’t aware of years ago. First, I know that some people are drunk, high, or upset, or feeling sick when driving, so I’m on the lookout more. I realize that if I get tired at times, then OTHERS do too, so it’s best to be way more on the ALERT for those kind of drivers! And, finally, I am conscious of the fact that cell phones are being used today for talking or texting, and it’s SO dangerous…so, I BETTER NOT do it or I am being a real fool like them. And I certainly don’t want to end of dead or killing someone else for such a foolish reason. I know A LOT more today about driving safety than I did long ago!!
Pam Weiler says
I started driving as a young teenager. I did not know how important it was to take care of your car. Not just tire safety but the engine needs regular maintenance as well, tune-ups and oil changes are a must!!
burghbaby says
I wish I had known that I should pay more attention to that whole parallel parking thing!
Jamie R. says
That driving without distraction is key. Back before pre-texting days my best college friends and I were almost in a horrible wreck in Memphis, all because we were distracted at a red light!
Tina harder says
When I started driving wearing a seatbelt wasn’t required. I couldn’t imagine not wearing one today!
BONNIE ELLIS says
After being in law enforcement and taking my fair share of “accident” reports, I realized how many crashes are caused by driver inexperience and inattention. When my daughter learned to drive, my #1 rule was for her was to keep her “eyes on the road”. No texting, no eating, and don’t worry about what is on the sides of the road.
Erin Ellis says
I wish I knew back then how important it was to know car repair basics. It would have helped me several times. Now I know! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Erin Ellis says
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/ErinLoves2Run/status/619488071189278720
Erin ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Lisa Brown says
I wish I had know more about, or practiced more about, parallel parking; I am the worst at it and bumped a car once, learned fast to absolutely avoid this kind of parking.
Lisa Brown says
my tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/619507548073267204
Julie Wood says
I wish I knew that you can not use different types of tires on your car because of uneven wear , and that the tires need to be rotated for even wear, and that the tires need the proper air pressure to keep them in good shape. My neglect of the tires on my car caused them to wear out prematurely. Now I take excellent care of my tires!
Julie Wood says
Tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/619508588860452864
steve weber says
I wish I knew how to drive both stick and manual transmissions in case of emergencies.
steve weber says
tweet – https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/619513540324384768
Fonda Rush says
I wish I would have had seat belts and used them. Lap belts MAY have been in my cars, but I didn’t use them. We had a few accidents, and my daughter got injured. We both hit the windshield once. Eventually, it became the law, and I have complied ever since. I feel naked without a seat belt even though mine are uncomfortable — they seem to ride off of my breast, so I am constantly fussing with it. I think if I got an extender, it would allow correct placement. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Fonda Rush says
I get an error that says access is denied when I try to look at the official rules. It takes me to the blogher page where it seems that I have to join or log in. I was wondering about alternative ways to enter. Thank you.
Karen Watson says
So sorry about that! I’ll look in to it and will correct the link as soon as I found out what the address is.
Lisa says
I learned that when driving on ice, if you start to spin, turn your wheels into the spin. Also, many cars have ABS (Antilock Braking System) so the car pumps the brakes for you. Don’t pump them yourself because the ABS won’t work correctly. Instead, press firmly on the brakes and don’t step off of them when you feel the brakes pumping.
Susan Smith says
I wish I had I had more experience driving in the snow when I first started to drive.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/620058260595281920
Sylvia M says
No matter how great of a driver you think you are, you can still easily hydroplane across a road loose all control of your car, it won’t turn with the wheel or stop. It happened to me after 20 years of driving experience. I almost hit a car while driving with my kids down a slight hill. It was really scary. I am way more careful now when the roads are wet.
Sylvia M says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/artistsyl/status/620441448316432385
Madeline says
I wish I’d known that you always have to be aware of what the drivers around you are doing. I once swung around another car that was turning left and didn’t realize the car behind me was already doing the same thing around me (because I had hesitated), and we collided.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/620554468829102080
rachel cartucci says
I wish I had thought about seat belts and forcing all my friends to wear them when they got into my car.
Amy says
I really wish I knew to check my tire pressure regularly, It’s so important and I’ve had so many mishaps before i learned this lesson, as in popped tires, superbly flat tires and more. I now check all the time, just for peace of mind!
heather says
When it comes to road / car safety, I wish I knew how important it is to take a defensive driving class when you first start driving.
livivua says
https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/621035668219797504
CR Williams says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/621130131713556481
Kristen says
I wish I’d learned how to drive in snow.
Kristen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/621147370303066114
Craig says
I wish I had known that the only driver you can really trust on the road is yourself and to not always assume that others are paying attention to the road or are obeying the signals and to take that into account at all times and drive extra cautiously.
Amanda H. says
I wish I would have known how amazing snow tires are! It only took me 20 years of driving to figure it out… :/
LaTanya says
the importance of getting your maintenance and oil changes
LaTanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/621498104710193152
Vickie says
There are so many great saving money and safety things I now know that I wish I new 20 years ago. But, the one experience of yearly teen driving I have that scared me for life is the one I will tell. It is funny NOW and the family still talks about.
My first car was a tiny car to begin with..so small that my dad put a bicycle flag on the back so people would see me..it was a Austin Healey Bug-eye Sprite. This was all I could afford at the time..used..and it was a stick shift. Dad taught me to drive here in VERY flat south Florida. All is good until the day my bff and I took a road trip to another area of Florida that I was not familiar with. In this one town on our route we had to go over a railroad track BUT the road when above and over it at a step angle..it was like a bridge just over the track area and then down to the river. Al is good until about 1/4 way up the traffic had backed up and I had to come to a start in the middle of the upside of the bridge. Well, long story short..I had NO clue how to use the clutch to stop and go with out rolling into the car behind me (which I did)! It was awful. Dad never taught me what to do or how to drive on non flat road..neither did my drivers ed class!
D Schmidt says
I wish I had known the importance of checking tire tread, maintaining your vehicle and how ridiculous some other drivers can be!
D Schmidt says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/621694444694306816
Kelly Massman says
I didn’t know that you could blow your tires if they were under inflated. I found out when my son’s car tire exploded… Thanks for a chance to win! kmassman gmail
Henria O. says
I wish I had realized how important routine maintenance was. My first and second cars would have lasted a lot longer if I had realized that.
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Cindy says
I wished I had learned earlier to drive defensively. Drivers don’t use turn signals and be prepared to stop suddenly.
Cindy says
https://twitter.com/benz1171/status/622204897358913536
maria cantu says
I wish I’d known then about car maintenance.
Janice says
I wish I had taken the shop classes way back in high school instead of home Econ ! No one tells you that life happens down the road and one may find themselves single, alone, and as a woman needing to know how to change a tire, change oil, use a tire gauge, buy tires, and so much more!
Tiffany Light says
wish i had known that being alert and watching other driver’s behavior was just as important as my own when it comes to anticipating traffic issues of any kind.
Maryanne Vaeth says
I learned to drive a 3 speed 1960 Ford Truck and my Father attached the horse trailer on the back and told me when I could safely maneuver my way through all sorts of traffic situations, he would feel comfortable letting me drive by myself (with or without the trailer). I think he truly blessed me with that LONG lesson – it took the entire summer to finally earn the keys! I didn’t learn how to work on the engine but he taught me all of the things that needed to be checked regularly – one of the biggest things he stressed was checking the tire pressure on both truck and trailer. One of the things that I know now that I didn’t understand when I first started driving (50 years ago) is that people tend to be ‘unaware’ and are on automatic pilot when they get behind the wheel.
Victoria Gibbs says
My Twitter post 🙂
https://mobile.twitter.com/cbmfninja/status/623489053413896192
rachel says
That you need to do your own car research instead of trusting others blindly!
Tami says
The importance of monitoring rear and side mirrors.
Rhonda G says
I wish I had known the dangers of driving with children in the car who were not properly restrained. I started driving later in life and back then the laws were not what they are now. Many children were killed/injured due to lack of proper restraints.
Rhonda G says
I tweeted, thank you
https://twitter.com/trrg12/status/624222943812300803
Chris Gerke says
My first car was a 50 chevy…It broke down and my father had yto tow me…I broke the chain many times and he said he woud never tow me again..I’ve had AAA ever since..
Rebecca Graham says
I wish I had been more careful about wearing seat belts.
Rebecca Graham says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/624824205415219201
Rebecca says
I wish that I had been a little more cautious of bad drivers.
Stephanie Phelps says
I never knew when I first started driving how to tell when
your tires needed aligning and I wore out a set in a hurry.
I know better now!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/626005933144064000
Henria O. says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/sazzyfrazzy/status/626108693315096577
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Shannon says
I wish I’d known to follow the recommended maintenance schedule. My care might have lasted longer if I had!
Shannon says
https://twitter.com/shiebs24b/status/626125388859600896
Debbie B says
i wish i’d been more aware of watching those around me
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/626241282688442368
Amy Tong says
I wish I know that oil change and maintenance is just as important of a well equipped car. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Love Michelin tires.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/626286818745397249
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Patria says
I actually was well educated on the safety and maintenance of a vehicle. I just wish I had know more about how to do things like changing the oil and fuel filters and doing tune-ups. I could generally tell what was wrong with my car but could not fix it. My Dad always worked on the cars and I would watch but he never let me help so I could learn. That was a man’s job what a joke!
Flamingo Fan says
I wish I had received in-depth, proper training on how to drive in inclement weather. The first time I slid on a wet road, my heart fell to the floor. Also, driving icy weather would also have been helpful, too. Thankfully, I never had an accident in these conditions, but when young, you don’t realize the dangers.
Ruth says
I love these tires so much and have always had them on the cars that I have bought. We just bought my grandson his first car and was so disappointed that the car did not have Michelin tires! I know that I will not be worry-free because I only trust Michelin!
Linda C. says
I wish I had known how important it was to keep my car maintained.
Linda C. says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/626523660874952704
Amanda Sakovitz says
I wish I knew had to curb a skid properly in a storm.
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/626679576618500096
angie says
That most accidents happen close to home, not on freeways. But most FATAL accidents happen on freeways, not close to home. You may be more likely to get in an accident on the back roads but you will also most likely live to tell about it.
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/626839951922044928
Sharon says
I wish I knew more about tire inflation, weather impact on tires, and how to tell when they were about to give me some serious problems.
Sharon says
https://twitter.com/rusthawk/status/626853281831194624
Tamara says
Over the years, I’ve learned so much more about how important it is to take care of your vehicle. My husband has taught me a lot in that area.
westiemks5 at yahoo dot com
Tamara says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/626937587056427008
Tabathia B says
I wish that I had appreciated how dangerous it is to drive in ice (after a snowstorm)
tbarrettno1 at gmail.com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/626965560912429056
tbarrettno1 at gmail.com
Thomas Murphy says
I wish I new to be more careful driving when It is raining out and the roads are wet.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/626979955608580096
Bert Ruiz says
I wish I knew that being a good driver also meant paying attention to others drivers, I was very cautious when driving but quickly learned that not everyone is like that
Bert Ruiz says
tweet entry https://twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/627238109038575616
Sarah L says
It’s been 50 years since I learned to drive. My father taught me and had the best advice so I can’t say there’s anything now that I wish I’d known then.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/627258825716932608
ANGEL JACKLYN says
TWITTERED TOO! https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/627283305436614656
ANGEL JACKLYN says
I WISH I KNEW TO KEEP WARM CLOTHING IN MY CAR DURING WINTER MONTHS INCASE IT WERE TO BREAK DOWN. HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY LOL