Showing posts with label Teen Driving Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teen Driving Tips. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2009

Sue Scheff: Teen, Parents, Employers, Legislation, and Safe Driving Solutions




Teen, Parents, Employers, Legislation, and Safe Driving Solutions


Teen driving related accidents is a major concern and distractions such as cell phones are a significant cause. This has been a major catalyst in the creation of many teen-related driving sites ( www.t-driver.com , http://www.underyourinfluence.com/, and http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org/-- just to name a few) and has also sparked a slew of technology solutions -- sometimes called tracking solutions -- such as http://www.drivecam.com/or parental controls ( e.g. from Sprint ). But when it comes to safe driving practices, we have also noticed that parents (and other adults) are not being the best role models -- tow truck drivers running into swimming pools and tram drivers crashing are just two of the plethora of very recent accidents due to distracted driving and cell phone use.


Over the last year state legislators have made distracted driving a hot topic – with the use of all cellphones by novice drivers now restricted in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and text messaging banned for all drivers in 17 states. But enforcement issues abound. Worse yet, hardware based solutions are expensive, the big brother nature of the current solutions are very intrusive, and in some cases, are only reactive and not preventitive in the context of driving -- only telling users or their parents after the fact that they may have done something wrong or applying a broad restriction which covers all times and places (e.g. not limited to actual driving conditions).


A recent ZoomSafer video provides a funny look at how adults think they are just fine texting and driving. As reported here earlier, many adults think that only poor texters get into accidents . So isn't it about time that the soccer moms and the busy dads of this world start providing better examples for our teen drivers? Companies and government agencies should help too.


Distracted driving is definitely a large and complicated issue. Changing behavior is not easy for anyone - teens, moms, dads, etc. However, education and legislation alone is not going to change the habits of our hyper-connected society. As the word spreads on the dangers of distracted driving , some people will choose to abstain from using their phones when driving, but a larger percentage of the population will seek legally compliant safe driving solutions that are capable of providing safer alternatives to what they do today -- something that still keeps them connected with their modern lifestyles.


At ZoomSafer , we are trying to take this problem head on. With a variety of tactics meant to address the spectrum of user types, ZoomSafer can be both very restrictive, like the proverbial stick, but simultaneously it can also be a carrot.


At one end of the spectrum, a parent might say -- “You can only drive, if you put ZoomSafer on your phone. It will let me know you're safe and allow me to get a hold of you in an emergency.”
But on the other end, ZoomSafer can also be a cool technology for teens that keeps their peeps (and mom or dad) up to date while they drive. It can also be a great excuse to get yourself upgraded to the latest smart phone.


And for truly highly connected individuals of all ages, it can provide a set of significantly safer alternatives to keyboard based texting and emailing – while still keeping two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road when driving.


ZoomSafer is the only safe driving solution to address such a broad spectrum of uses and users – hopefully making everyone a little safer. So let’s all start using ZoomSafer and make the roads safer for everyone.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Sue Scheff: Teen driving tips for parents


Teen driving tips for parents

By: Marvelous Girl




With summer revving its engine, classes ending and summer jobs starting, it’s a great time of year for teenagers. However, between driving to work, taking road trips and joyriding without care, teens are on the road a lot more in the summer months.


It is no surprise, then, that data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows an annual spike in traffic accidents, injuries and deaths among young people in the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. As teens start cruising around this summer, it is important for parents to remind them how to stay safe behind the wheel. Below are a few quick tips for parents of teen drivers from ThinkBeforeYouDrive.org:

Create a driving contract for your teen, and be prepared to stick to it. A driving contract is a great way to let teens know that driving is both a privilege and a serious responsibility. It also establishes clear expectations about driving for your teen: always wear a seat belt, never get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking, etc. A customizable contract template is available at http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org/.

Choose an ICE contact. All drivers should designate an emergency contact in the address book of their cell phones under the name “ICE” — In Case of Emergency. Emergency workers in many towns check for an ICE contact in cell phones.

Set a good example. Practice what you preach. When parents run red and yellow lights, speed down the highway at 75 miles per hour, weave in and out of traffic, ride the bumper of the car in front of them and exhibit signs of road rage, they are telling teens that rules don’t count — and this can be fatal. Be a role model for your teen.

For more parent tips, visit http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org/tips/parents.htm.