I recently read that my state rep, Josh Shapiro along with another law maker is leading a push to ban text messaging and hand-held cell phones. I applaud these two lawmakers in their efforts and hope we see the bans. Many people feel that we should not legislate behavior however sometimes the state needs to protect us from ourselves.
We have all seen unsafe driving behaviors and have participated in a few ourselves. Eating, drinking coffee, putting on makeup (okay not me), reading a newspaper, putting in a CD, text messaging and making a call on the cell phone.
It seems we don’t need two hands on the wheel anymore. I once saw someone steering the car with their knee while they drank coffee and were talking on their cell phone. Wow, what an example we are to our new Teen drivers.
Josh, thank you for making an effort to try to protect us! More importantly we need to especially protect our Teen Drivers. According to THE EVENING SUN, The National Highway Transportation Administration has listed cell phones as the top distraction for drivers and text messaging devices as an emerging distraction (I question the word emerging).
On Thursday January 8th there was an article in the US News & World Report talking about a device being developed that Jam’s a Teen’s Cell phone while the key is in the ignition.
According to the article, the Key2SafeDriving system includes a device that encloses the car key. The device connects wirelessly with the user’s cell phone via either Bluetooth or RFID (radio-frequency identification) technologies. To turn on the engine, the user must slide the key out of the device or push a button to release it. The device then sends a signal to the driver’s cell phone placing it in “driving mode” and displaying a “stop” sign on the phone’s display screen. When in driving mode, the cell phone can’t be used to talk or send text messages except to dial 911 or numbers pre-approved by parents, such as their cell phones.
Incoming calls and texts to the driver’s cell phone are automatically answered with the message, “I am driving now. I will call you later when I arrive at the destination safely.
When the car engine is turned off, the driver slides the key back into the device, which sends a “car stopped” signal to the cell phone, which returns to its normal communication mode.
Now that is technology we can use! Keep and eye on my future blogs as I am checking out this device. I will let you know what I learn. You can learn more about it at http://www.key2safedriving.net/.
In the meantime, I suggest you set up ground rules with your young teen driver to limit their cell phone use and texting while driving. Put it into a Teen Driver Contract that you and your teen sign. Set a good example by not using your cell phone while you drive. It could save your child’s life.
To check out more articles on safe teen driving check out http://www.evernote.com/pub/charliespencer/SpencerInsuranceTeenDrivers.
For many more ideas on how to keep your Teen Safe check out my website at
www.teendriverinsurance.com/spencer.
Have a great day and protect your Teen!
