Parents… WAKE UP!

I am a parent guiding my 5^th teen through the perils of driving. I am also a recently retired Sheriff’s Lieutenant with 32 years in law enforcement. I am writing this because I want to bring an end to the needless tragedies plaguing our youth, and the key is conscientious parenting.

Wake up parents! In this country, we are experiencing more casualties among our teenagers due to traffic accidents than we have experienced during the entire Iraq War. You can now do something to avoid needless tragedies involving teen drivers. Technology is available that will allow you to monitor your teen’s driving behavior in real time, and have an on-line record of the car’s location, speed, date and time for 3 months. I installed a GPS tracking device in my son’s car, with his knowledge, and we have developed a partnership based on responsibility built on a foundation of accountability. He is being trained and developing driving habits of always obeying the speed limit, because if he doesn’t, he knows he will be held accountable. I am sent an email alert if my teen exceeds a speed that I have set, or leaves a geographical area that I determine. I do not have to question him regarding his driving behavior, nor where he is going or where he has been. I just set reasonable rules and he follows them. No arguments, no confrontations, no dramas. My teen doesn’t speed, can you say the same?

Check out  “teensafetyprogram.com” and learn how you can prevent your teen from becoming a statistic, easily and affordable! If you type in “rude” in the discount code, you will get a 5% discount on your equipment. I don’t care what system you use… just use one. In my research, I discovered that Rocky Mountain Tracking was the best value and provided me with what I needed. The cost is less than one traffic accident’s deductible, or the impact of a traffic ticket on insurance, not to mention the liability exposure any parent has in connection with their teen’s driving behavior.

Karen and I have been so impressed with Rocky Mountain Tracking’s efforts in their Teen Safety Program that we agreed to be featured in a commercial for them. You can view the commercial at: teensafetyprogram.com The following is just more information worth considering when your teen is about ready to start driving… 

Facts of teen driving accidents and how to prevent them 

·       Teens account for 14% of all motor vehicle accident deaths.

·       5,288 teens died in motor vehicle accidents in 2005 in the U.S.  Almost 6,000 teens die every year in auto accidents.  Auto accidents are the number one killer of teens.

·       Crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, accounting for more than one-third of all deaths of 16 to 18 year-olds.  Teens lack maturity and experience to be safe drivers.·       Who will you blame if your teen is injured or killed in a traffic accident?  You, the parent, are ultimately responsible.

·       Don’t be the next parent to say, “If we would have known the statistics our son / daughter would still be here today”

·       Sixteen year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age, including older teenagers.

·       Two factors in particular work against young drivers:  inexperience and immaturity.  GPS tracking provides a balance of constant teen supervision but still allows them the freedom and privacy they deserve.  It’s like being in the passenger seat next to the drive without actually being there.  Their driving behavior will be like they have a police car behind them in traffic.

·       The presence of passengers can increase the risk by distractions and peer pressure to take risks.

·       The cost of a GPS monitoring device is minimal.  The cost of a life is priceless.

·       Driver’s education is important, but it does not reduce the need for a GPS monitoring device.  Unfortunately, the problem is that so many crashes involve the driver’s attitude, not their skill.  GPS Tracking can identify bad driving habits and allow the parent to correct these problems so they become safe drivers.

·       Does tracking your teens driving show a lack of trust?  No.  In fact, tracking teens has proven to actually embrace more trust because the parent does not have to question the teen or place as many restrictions on them. 

Problem:  Teen driving accidents are most commonly fatal due to:

• Immaturity
• Inexperience
• Driver Error
• Speeding
• Passengers in the vehicle (peer pressure)
• Alcohol
• Night driving (9pm to 6am)
• No seat belt
• Risk taking behavior that is natural during the teen years.

 Solution:  More supervision.  A tracking device could eliminate the cause for these accidents. 

Problem:  Teenagers perceive driving as freedom, and don’t consider the risks involved.  Parents are often relieved when their teen starts driving since they don’t have to chauffeur them around anymore. 

Solution:  A GPS monitoring device allows the teen to still have freedom knowing their driving is being monitored.  Parents have the luxury of supervising their teens driving from the comfort of their home or office. 

Problem:  Teen’s immaturity and inexperience are the primary factors in teen driver related deaths.  Teens often make poor decisions and deliberately seek thrills like speeding.  Young drivers tend to overestimate their own physical and driving abilities and underestimate the dangers on the road.  They are likely to engage in risky behavior such as speeding, passing inappropriately, following other vehicles too close, and not using their seat belt. 

Solution:  According to The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, “Training and education don’t change these tendencies.  Don’t rely solely on driver education.  High school driver education may be the most convenient way to learn skills, but it doesn’t produce safer drivers.  Even graduated licensing doesn’t attempt to modify driver behavior directly.”  Even teens that usually follow the rules can be easily distracted or encouraged to take risks without constant monitoring.  Most fatally injured young drivers don’t have prior traffic violations or crashes on their records.  Statistics show that your teen will make the best decisions when monitored with a tracking device.