Distracted Driving?

Teens are known to be distracted BY EVERYTHNG. The radio, cell phones, dropping a cigarette, putting on make-up, fixing their hair, texting, cute member of the opposite sex walking down the sidewalk, chickens...

And there's the occasional bee flying in the car window. I remember that one myself. After 40 years of trying to convince him, my dad still doesn't believe I drove into a field because of a bee.

Truth is, nothing can keep teens from being distracted except physically riding in the car next to them - and even then, they'll tell you that YOU are distracting.

The next best step is knowing where they are, and paying attention to their overall driving behavior. You can coach behaviors that are risky and provide positive reinforcement when rules are followed.

DashTrac helps. Check out http://www.wheresmyteen.com/

Are You a Driving Role Model For Your Teen?

Are you teaching your teenager bad driving habits? I complain about my son all of the time, but this morning it hit me. I have contributed to the driving mess he is.

A recent survey sponsored by AAA and Seventeen magazine revealed that 86% of teens admit to driving while distracted. What amazed me were the distractions. Music, food and cell phones. Adults are no less guilty of the same, and I fear we have sent the wrong message to these kids from the very start. We are a generation of muli-taskers, and driving isn't a sacred single-task event.