North Carolina teen takes the wheel with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to promote safe driving
Allie Miller works with NASCAR Hall of Famer to encourage other teen drivers to drive distraction-free
17-year-old Allie Miller knows all about the distractions facing her when she gets behind the wheel. From buzzing smartphones and in-car entertainment systems to roadside billboards and even conversations with passengers, the Advance, North Carolina teenager understands that staying focused on the road can be a challenge for drivers of any age, but it’s especially tough for her and her friends.
“Kids my age, we’ve always had a phone and social media,” says Allie. “There’s always that urge to look at it, even in the car. We don’t want to miss out on what’s going on.”
Ahead of January’s Teen Driving Awareness Month, Allie had the unique opportunity to put her safe driving skills to the test under the watchful eye of one of motorsports’ most recognizable names.
During a supervised exercise at a closed driving course in the Charlotte area, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. rode shotgun and provided running commentary as Allie took the wheel to navigate a tightly coned track while facing multiple distractions.
“She did really great,” said Dale. “I was throwing a bunch of things at her trying to distract her but nothing I did took her attention away from the road. I couldn’t crack her!”
After riding with Allie, Earnhardt noted, “The challenges maybe that we faced 30 years ago, they are different today. There’s just a lot more opportunities for people to make mistakes and get in some bad habits that they feel comfortable with.”
Allie’s father Alan also took a turn in the passenger seat to observe firsthand how his daughter handled the experience. When asked how he and his wife support Allie as a young driver, Miller offered, “I think we play a huge role in making sure she’s a good driver - trying to teach her good habits and trying to teach her not to stay on the phone. It’s not worth the danger it can cause.”
The driving course and curriculum were provided by B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), a Charlotte-based organization whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving.
B.R.A.K.E.S. founder Doug Herbert added, “Most of the crashes are caused by distraction, so keeping focused on the road is no different than driving a race car, right? You’ve got to stay focused on the track, focused on the other people around you.”
Nationwide is doing its part to encourage distraction-free driving by teens and everyone else on the road. The Nationwide Focused Driving Rewards® program, available to all drivers, gives participants who demonstrate safe driving habits the chance to earn points redeemable for retail gift cards.
“Every mile matters when it comes to teen safety,” said Chris Lee, Nationwide’s VP of Personal Lines Auto. “Partnering with Dale Earnhardt Jr. helps us amplify a simple but powerful message: ‘Put the phone down when you’re behind the wheel.’ With programs like Focused Driving Rewards, families have a practical way to reinforce that message and see real results.”
Alan is thankful that programs like the B.R.A.K.E.S. teen driver training program and Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards exist. It helps him sleep better at night, knowing that organizations are committed to helping to make roadways safer.
“I think it can be very beneficial for a lot of kids,” added Alan.
Allie agrees: “It’s definitely a motivation to not be distracted when driving.”
Learn more about Nationwide Focused Driving Rewards® by visiting Nationwide.com.
Focused Driving Rewards is not insurance and does not require the purchase of a policy or a quote. Participation is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Not available in all states. Nationwide may terminate the program at any time. Focused Driving Rewards is not currently available in AK, CA, FL, HI, LA, MA, NY or OK.