If you’re anything like me, that musical pinging sound,
signifying a message notification, coming from the cell phone is like a mating
call – very hard to ignore on an almost instinctual level, even when I’m
actively driving on the road. When I
hear it, my 20+ years of practiced habit to constantly scan and pay attention
to the road wants fiercely to give in to this almost homing pigeon instinct of just
concentrating on that little compartment in my messenger bag, sitting in the
front passenger seat of my car, where I always keep my smart phone.
This sort of behavior is where driving becomes even riskier
than ever.
At my age, I’ve learned to resist that “call”, at least long
enough to wait for a chance to either arrive at my destination, or find a
decent spot to pull over and check. That
20+ years was hard-earned experience driving miles of road and “paying the
price” for the tailgating, speeding, road rage management issues and a couple
of rear-ending instances, I had to learn from – not things I’m proud of doing.
When I was a first time driver going through my “growing
pains” of becoming a “good driver” on the road, distractions were usually the
other passengers in the car, eating while driving or the knobs and dials on my
dashboard – radio, air conditioner or adjusting the mirrors. I’m glad to report, however, that I never
gave in to the temptation of applying eye make up while driving.
These days with modern technology taking on Star Trek the
Next Generation proportions with smart phones, e-tablets, iPads, etc. etc. etc., the distractions for a
teen driver have been taken to a new level of “risky”.
Here’s where I throw some stats at you to bring that new
level of “risky” into focus. These stats
were pulled off of a page advocating against distracted driving practices on Verizon’s
website (direct link just below):
increased likelihood of being in an accident if texting while
driving compared to driving while not distracted
Source: textfreedriving.org
of American adults think sending text messages or e-mails while
driving is distracting, dangerous and should be outlawed
Source: textfreedriving.org
41 states
in the U.S. have laws that ban sending text messages while
driving
Source: distraction.gov
25%
teens respond to a text one or more times while driving
Source: distraction.gov
4.6 seconds
pass when a driver's eyes leave the road to text - at 55 mph,
it's like driving the length of a football field blind
Source: distraction.gov
57%
of drivers ages 21-24 send text messages and emails while
driving
Source:textfreedriving.org
Here are a few more companion articles with stats and
studies on the growing problem. They
were written by Jason Siu for AutoGuide.com:
From March 26, 2015:
From August 5, 2015:
Also, from August 5, 2015:
So, now that I have your attention with those hard numbers,
I imagine you’ve sprouted a new grey hair and are asking yourself “What can I
do to keep my teen driver safer on the road?”
Well, as all of this new tech seems to be contributing to
this issue, so too, we can go to “all of this new tech” to seek a counter
balance in generating some solutions.
About 2 months ago, Family Circle’s website cited 7 featured
apps that are out there, ranging from “FREE” to $100, depending on what you’re
looking for. (I’m just going mention 1-3
of them. For all 7, please click on the
link below.)
Family Circle article link:
http://www.familycircle.com/teen/driving/safe-driving-apps/?page=1
TextArrest
This app is reputed to be compatible with Android
phones. Its basic function is to disable
text message and email capability on smart phones, with its best feature being
a lock on the phone’s screen so that no text messages or emails can be sent or
read while driving. The app “senses”
when the vehicle is travelling faster than 5mph.
Safe Driver
This app’s compatibility is with iPhone, iPod Touch and
iPads. This app is supposed to monitor
location and driving practices of newly licensed teens. (If parents learn their developing habits,
they can intervene as necessary to correct the developing habit.) This app alerts parents via text message or
email when the teen driver exceeds a specific speed and shows where infractions
occurred.
ZoomSafer
This one is reputed to be compatible with BlackBerry and
some Windows mobile phones. Its basic
function is to limit access to email, text messages, browsing and calling when
a teen is on the road. Its best feature
is to restrict a teen’s cell phone activity while driving and allows calls
parents set form a contact list using an online account.
Here, again, Verizon also put out a promotional blurb on
their site, earlier this year, with 2 featured apps to help with your teen’s
potential “distracted driving” habits linked to new tech. (To see the full article, click on the link
below.)
Verizon site article:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/mobile-living/apps/block-texting-while-driving/
Live2Txt
which is for Android™. This app allows you to block incoming texts and calls while
driving. Turn the app “on” when you get behind the wheel, and you’ll silence
your smartphone from incoming notifications, texts and calls. When you receive
a message, the app will alert the sender with a customized message that you’re
unable to respond at the moment. You also have the option to block incoming
calls and texts, only texts or only calls. Live2Txt also comes in handy during
other times you may need to minimize interruptions, such as during an important
meeting, your next massage or your child’s school play.
And:
Canary which is available for Android™
and iOS. This is a great option for
concerned parents, as it offers instant feedback on your child’s behavior while
behind the wheel. When you download the app (available for Android and iOS) to your child’s phone, you can set maximum speed limits and
get alerts when your children go over them. You can also get alerts when your
teen is traveling outside of predefined safe areas and violating curfew.
And finally, the last app I will reference that caught my
attention was mentioned in an article by Sheryll Alexander for Communities
Digital News recently on August 17, 2015.
ParentBlocked
is similar to the function offered by TextArrest above in that it uses
navigation technology to recognize when a vehicle is moving over 10mph,
shutting down mobile text messaging, controlling approved calls and more.
For more on this app and the accompanying article with
statistics, click here:
These are just a few options out there to help keep your
teen driver focused and safe as they build their own experience on the
road. As parents of new teen drivers,
it’s up to you to do the research on these options as well as making sure that
you educate your teens on the added dangers on the road – not just from their
potential bad habits, but the bad habits of others. It will take a concerted effort to make
driving our shared roadways a safe, useful and even fun experience for
everyone. Happy travels!
-Letitia Chang, Customer Service Representative BESTtrafficschool.com
