MAXWELL’S PLEDGE

Maxwell’s Pledge takes the challenge of safe driving directly to the teen drivers whose natural internal desire is to not jeopardize the lives of their class mates and friends.

Maxwell’s Pledge encourages teenage drivers to take more responsibility for their own, and others, safety by recognizing that every time they drive a vehicle on the public streets, they are in control of their passengers’ and other motorists’ wellbeing. By voluntarily signing Maxwell’s Pledge, each student agrees to be a responsible driver. With the Pledge decal displayed on their vehicle, each Pledge supporter becomes a constant reminder to others that teenage drivers recognize there is a problem and care about safety. They support the Pledge because it is the right thing to do.

“Friends do not want to hurt friends.” But they do. Teenagers do not get behind the wheel of a car intent on killing themselves or their friends. Nevertheless, 6,000 - 8,000 do so each year; another 300,000 are injured.

Distraction and peer pressure are the main contributors to an inexperienced driver's loss of control and vehicle collisions.

Ninety percent of teens, if asked, will tell you that they have been scared while driving with their peers, and many will admit to having been involved in a crash at some point. Few will admit to speaking up when they felt the need to do so. For teens, when it comes to the new experience of driving, there is a tremendous amount of peer pressure to go along with the crowd and be cool.

Teen peer pressure can actively encourage unsafe driving:

OR

Peer pressure may also cause a passive situation by simply preventing a teen from speaking up when an unsafe situation may be developing:

Either way there is often only a brief moment when the right encouragement to the driver may well prevent a disaster.

Which kind of peer influencer are you?

We all learn from our mistakes in life and a bad experience can be a good teacher. For many teens a nasty scare while driving often allows for a second chance. Alas, for others there will be no second chance and instead it is left for the friends and family to learn from a tragic mistake.

By signing Maxwell’s Pledge, teen drivers themselves will make all the difference by bringing more awareness to a bad situation.

By signing Maxwell’s Pledge, teen drivers are making a solemn commitment to drive responsibly.

The Maxwell’s Pledge program provides a forum for open discussion, and teen drivers will feel okay to debate the subject of responsible driving and not feel intimidated. Before long it will be cool to support the Pledge knowing that somewhere a friend’s life will be spared.

Displaying the Maxwell Pledge decal is a constant reminder that safe driving is a teen priority.

By taking the pledge, you may make a difference and save your friend’s life.

Maxwell’s Pledge focuses on reducing the number of teen traffic deaths.