YOUR KID IS DRIVING!!??!!
Nobody said parenting was going to be easy.
My heart is racing for you. I think I woke in cold sweats the other night for you.
Your 16 year old is DRIVING!!
“Holy, fuck*ng shit!”
...Okay, so now that that is out of the way. I’m sure one of your biggest concerns is that your little social butterfly will be texting and driving. A definite recipe for disaster.
Here’s a few stats:
660,000 - the number of drivers that are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile.
1.6 million - the number of crashes caused by cell phone use according to The National Safety Council
390,000 - the number of injuries each year from accidents caused by texting while driving
6x - Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
4x - Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes
26% - the percentage of all motor vehicle crashes that are related to the use of cell phones (talking or texting)
77% - the percentage of American teenagers report that adults close to them instruct them not to text and drive, yet they see those same adults text or email while they drive.
18% - the percentage of brake reaction speed can be slowed by up to 18 percent when someone is texting while driving. Holding a phone in one hand while navigating a vehicle slows reaction time by 46 percent.
26% of all motor vehicle crashes are related to the use of cell phones.
Now, I will say that this generation is 100,000 times better at NOT drinking and driving than my generation. My God it is a miracle I am alive today. Not only am I incredibly glad to see that each generation learns from its predicessors, but also proud to see that this generation has the balls to step up and designate a driver!
Unfortunately it always takes the next generation to see and fix its problems. I’m sure if I were a teen today, I wouldn’t think that texting and driving is nearly as bad as drinking and driving...but it actually can be far worse. In fact (as stated above) Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk. With nearly 90% of all Americans owning a cell phone our chances of getting in an accident have skyrocketed!
Lucky for us parents technology keeps up! There are a number of good apps and devices that can keep our bright-eyed, attention depreciated, novice drivers safe.
Here’s a few of the apps and devices:
LifeSaver blocks cell phone usage while driving, ensuring that you will not be distracted by incoming texts and other notifications. It does allow hands-free calls and use of navigation and music apps, if activated before you start moving. Additionally, you can get rewards like iTunes credit for logging safe driving behaviors. Download it to limit your own distracted driving habits, or to monitor someone else's cell phone usage while behind the wheel, like loved ones or employees.
2. Mojo
This free app incentivizes safe driving by tracking your trips, then giving you a Mojo score based on your swiping, typing, and talking activity. For every minute that you drive without touching your phone, you'll score one point. Earn 300 points, and you can win a $5 gift card to Amazon, Starbucks, or Dunkin Donuts. Mojo is also a social app, which encourages safe driving competition amongst friends who are using it.
3. Cellcontrol
Cellcontrol was designed for business owners who have to manage a fleet of vehicles, in order to reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents amongst employees. A device called a Drive Tag is installed in all of your company cars, which then connects with an app on your drivers' phones, thereby disabling incoming calls, texts, and other features such as the camera, email, and Google while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, administrators receive a notification if the device is removed or disabled, so you can rest assured that your fleet is protected from distracted driving.
4. Groove
My favorite is Groove. This device pretty much ensure that your young driver will not be able to text, receive texts, receive the dreaded facebook notifications or Snapchat streak update. This one works well because it is not up to you to turn it on! The moment you start your car, the device is activated. You still have use of hands-free calling, music and navigation.
The craziest statistic that I found was that 77% of American teenagers report that adults close to them instruct them not to text and drive, yet they see those same adults text or email while they drive. You know what that says to me? WE ARE A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE OF HOW TO BE SAFE!
Seriously guys, if we want our kids to make it to their destination alive - WE have to take some responsibility for it! Let’s lead by example. Don’t pick up that cell phone while you are driving!