The Local Safe Communities Coalition is joining forces with Mower Refreshed next month to promote safe teen driving.

“We’ve been working with Mower Refreshed with a Drive Refreshed campaign,” said Amanda Stoa, SCC coordinator.

Mower Refreshed will distribute keychains that encourage people to “Take five and be present behind the wheel,” reminding them to focus on only driving before they get in their cars.

The campaign stems from the fact that driving deaths among 16- and 17-year-old drivers spiked dramatically in the first half of 2012, about a 19 percent increase, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Drive Refreshed will begin on April 18. Other organizations supporting the cause include Towards Zero Death, Austin Area Drug Task Force, Parenting Resource Center and the Riverland Community College Nursing students. They want to reduce both the number of citations and accidents on roadways. Mower Refreshed will directly reach out to schools and driving programs, as well.

Mower Refreshed and its partners will provide interactive tools on the website mowerrefreshed.org, along with information for parents and what role they can have in their children’s driving decisions.