MELVIN - Bonnie Arend of rural Melvin, who lost a son in a car accident, says a safe-driving survey reminds parents of the effect they have on their children's driving.

"Little eyes are watching," she said, remembering when she was pregnant with twins to always wear a seatbelt long before it became law.

Her sons followed the example.

Sadly, 17 years later, a seatbelt wasn't enough to save Greg's life. His twin, Steve, was seriously injured in the accident, which was blamed on speed.

A State Farm survey this fall focused on parents' role in safe driving.

"We are asking parents to be aware that their teens are watching and learning from their behaviors," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources for State Farm Insurance Cos.

Key findings:

• 65 percent of parents talk on cell phones;

• 68 percent of parents are in a hurry at least sometimes when they drive;

• 65 percent of parents drive when they are tired at least sometimes.

The survey shows that, while almost two-thirds of parents talk on cell phones in the car, nine out of 10 tell their teens not to do the same. "The survey is a good reminder of how very important it is for parents to model the kind of behavior we want to see from our teens," said Stiles, the mother of a 15-year-old .

"That study is so important," added Arends, a staff member of Gibson City Bible Church.

Her son, Steve, now 23, has recovered significantly from his accident and works on the family farm with his father, Randy Arends. The family remains active in promoting safe driving.

Their story inspired Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School's seat belt initiative in 2005, which won a national Project Ignition safe-driving award.

That program emphasized students' responsibility for themselves in a message from peers. A State Farm and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia study looked at the same issue in 2007 and found many teens drive while fatigued, talking on cell phones or with multiple passengers.

Arends is helping a State Farm initiative by working on an interactive Facebook page devoted to parent input about teen driving safety.

On the Net http://www.facebook.com/people/State_Farm/1341945141.