Moms Talk: Texting, Driving and Teens

A brilliant educator, and an incredibly wise man once wrote that "technology advances faster than our wisdom in knowing how to use it."  

OK, it was my dad, but he is also accurately described in that first sentence.  And, it's hard to find technology for which his theory is not true.

But careful...I'm about to turn serious on you.  

I hesitate to get judgemental, since I have used the phone while driving (though I hardly ever do this anymore), I can honestly say that I have NEVER, EVER texted while driving.  

I don't care how many different ways you successfully divide your attention during the day, this should never be one of them.  It is a particular concern of parents as they send their teenagers off with car keys in one hand and a cell phone in the other.

The following link is to an anti-texting video that is very graphic, but I have never seen anything more powerfully deliver the message.  I would not recommend watching it with young children around, but after shooing off the little ones, click here.

That was the hard part.  Now, some hope.  Here's a link to a Consumer Reports article that outlines safety features becoming available to combat distracted teen-aged driving.  

I highly recommend everyone, parents or not, read the entire article.  The people at CR do a great job reporting on distracted driving, its dangers and solutions.

Finally, The Mommies Network is launching its first "Only Fools Text and Drive Day."  They are asking us to drive with our headlights on if we want to spread the message.  When?  April 1, 2011, of course.  My lights will be on.

So, here are questions for parents AND teens.

Parents:  How do you get the message across to your kids?  How do you enforce rules about using the phone while driving?

Teens:  What would convince you that it's not worth the risk?  Would you use any of the safety features CR recommends?

I'm all ears - after all - my eldest is two years away from her license, but some of her friends already have theirs in their hot little hands.  

I'm hoping "If I ever find out you did something stupid with my kid in the car, like talking on the phone or texting while you're driving, I'll break both of your legs" will do the trick.