something i though moms and dads of drivers might want to read

[Momma Aimee]

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/devlin/12178

The technology to track where a car is and how fast it is going is available, but parents of new teen drivers have not been quick to adopt it. One insurer may change that. Safeco is offering Teensurance, a GPS tracking and reporting system in the 44 states where it provides car insurance.

With the GPS unit installed, parents and teens can set speed, distance, and time limitations and be notified via text message, email, and phone calls if and when any are crossed

Surveys show "every 16 year old and 17 year old thinks they are a better driver than mom and dad, but they get easily distracted," says Jim Havens, Safeco's vice president of customer solutions. With cell phones in the hands of inexperienced drivers, there are even more ways for new drivers to become distracted. A survey of more than 1,000 16- and 17-year-old drivers by AAA finds that 61 percent of teens admit to risky driving habits; of them, 46 percent say they text message while driving and 61 percent say they talk on cell phones.

Of course, it is easy to disable. But parents will get a message telling them when Teensurance is offline, Havens said. He says the company has anecdotal evidence that the system is helping teens become more aware of their driving behavior and adjusting it when needed. Still, there is not enough data yet to prove its effect on teens warrants lower premiums for families with teens who use the $14.99-a-month service. For the extra $15, families with teens also get the ability unlock a door remotely if keys are locked in the car and access to roadside assistance in case of an emergency.

mine is still in a car seat, but i thought this might be intresting to some with the older kids.........

Aimee

[Arduinna]

We had a big ol topic on this awhile ago, I think in News but I'm not sure.

I personally trust my child and would never want a tracking service.

[Naturalyst]

When we bought DSD her first car we also got a custom bumper sticker, "How's my driving? Call XXX-XXX-XXXX." The phone number was DH's cell phone number.

We also had DSD execute a Driving Agreement so that expectations, rules and penalties for non-compliance were clearly delineated and understood. DSD participated in setting terms and the final agreement was the result of negotiation and discussion of "whys" and "wherefores".

More than all this, DSD's friend was killed in a car crash shortly after DSD got her license. Both the friend and the driver of the other car made mistakes typical of new teen drivers - driving too fast, friends in the car, etc. It's a few years past now and DSD still keeps her friend's picture in the glove box. The experience made DSD a more careful driver, I'm sure.

[Adastra]

I will totally consider using that when the time comes! Thanks, Aimee.

[Meg_s]

I consider it pretty invasive and non trusting buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut remembering the speeds at which I drove at, it's probably a good idea. I also remember being terrified while in the car with my friends because they were such awful/dangerous drivers. Seriously.. it makes me sick to think of my sons being in those kinds of cars one day.

[Momma Aimee]

we are YEARS from thsi ourselves, who knows what i will be ablw to buy then

I see the conflict between TRUST and remembering what I, or knwing what DH, was like...... and the conflict between TRUST and the inherent teen-age years "it won't happen to me" " i am differnt" and so on.

I have enough trouble balancing safty and freedom on the slide right now -- thanks -- i do not envey any of you moms.

AImee

[Bestbirths]

I am paying an extra ten a month for gps on my teens phone, and I would jump at this service because my teen is a risk taker. I trust that she would test all the limits while driving, and I don't even want her to drive, are you kidding me? i wouldn't put her behind the wheel without a service like this...then let her go ahead and drive and not know we had it and then if she speeded constantly and it was a problem....ask her, when you drive my car, have you been careful to go the speed limit? then if she said with a sweet look, why of course yes....pounce and spring the evidence on her...muhahaha muhahahaha. I love technology. You can't argue with a piece of paper!