Teen Driver Safety Program

Formed in April 2002 by the BMW Car Club of America Foundation, the Tire Rack Street Survival (visit) safe teen driving program was launched. With the help of several corporate sponsors (BMW of North America, The Tire Rack, and Liberty Mutual Insurance), Tire Rack Street Survival was initiated. Tire Rack Street Survival is built upon the premise that ‘safe driving is learned by doing.’ From the outset, Street Survival has always been hands-on and designed to go beyond the typical high school driver’s education program. The program teaches students to avoid accidents by thinking and looking ahead. Tire Rack Street Survival is unique in that it offers students instruction in their own cars so that they learn the limitations of the car they drive daily.

Last year, over 5,000 teenagers died in motor vehicle crashes, the leading killer of American youths aged 16 to 19, accounting for more than 40 percent of fatalities in that age bracket. To reduce this number, Tire Rack Street Survival has developed a non-profit, national driver education program aimed at teaching teens the skills they need to stay alive behind the wheel.

The year 2003 was the pilot year for Tire Rack Street Survival and several successful schools were held around the country. In 2004, more than a dozen schools providing instruction for several hundred students were held. During 2008, 70 schools were held, training even more teenagers to become safe, responsible drivers.  During 2012, 93 schools were held – our goal for 2013 is over 100 schools, from New Hampshire to California and Florida to Minnesota.

Most of us are aware of the carnage that occurs on American highways and good driver education will help reduce accidents. With your support and help, the goal of the Tire Rack Street Survival program will help make our teenagers safer drivers.