Hi-tech leash on teen drivers........

[atotaltotalfan2001]

On the one hand, I like this idea.

On the other hand, it seems like it would delay the development of teenagers into responsible adults. Driving is one of the first, big grown-up responsibilities teenagers face. But with this device, they don't have to do it very well.

Teensurance Tracks Teens on the Road

Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:22PM EDT



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.

With my oldest a few years away from driving, suddenly a tool like this makes some sense—if it's used as a way to help teens monitor and adjust their driving behavior as they take to the road. If parents use it to revoke driving privileges at the first sign of a surpassed speed limit, then it's just a Big Mother tool and not very useful.

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.

So the big question: Would you pay extra for this service if you have teen drivers? Parents and teens who are using Teensurance or something similar, let us know what you think of it.

[TheBlueEagle]

Teenagers are more advanced with technology than this. It's a waste of money because the system will be disabled. The smart thing to do is to raise the driving age to 18. That is the law in European countries and European kids turn into responsible adults as fast or faster than American teenagers.

[colossus27]

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.

Why can't the phone companies be forced by the FCC to admit the obvious- people using cell phones can't drive for *&^%.

Once we've all grown up enough to come to that obvious conclusion, use the GPS transponder to detect when the phone is moving over 10MPH and disable the damn thing for anybody under 21 that's using the phone.

Delusional, retarded folk- politicians- can mandate hands-free hardware that has a dongle-type thing, registered with the phone company, to prevent disabling the handsfree phones for the idiotic over-21'ers that think handsfree is safe.

[WNYresident]

I like that shock idea that was mentioned. A police officer sees someone driving using a cell phone and a 2000 volt static charge of very very low amperage if fired to thier ear.

[ForestBird]

Raise the driving age to 21 or 22; our brains aren't fully developed until around 25 or later, and kids are way too impulsive to be entrusted with high-speed, life-or-death decisions. Check the stats if you doubt this.

Barring that, maybe force them to drive cars which cannot go faster than about 35mph.

[Surfing USA]

I like that shock idea that was mentioned. A police officer sees someone driving using a cell phone and a 2000 volt static charge of very very low amperage if fired to thier ear.

Me too!

Enforcing the cell phone law should be done by Federal agencies.

Here's how it works:

1) The government passes a law that ALL cell phone manufacturers must implant a tiny, powerful battery in every cell phone;It would be impossible to remove this safeguard from a cellphone without destroying the cell phone. The battery would automatically be charged every time the cell phone is re-charged.

2) When someone is seen talking on their cell phones while driving, a police cruiser passing by merely has to press a remote control which would deliver an agonizing shock to the cell phone user, making them drop the phone as they scream in torment;Only law enforcement would have access to these controls.

3) Law enforcement can keep a database of people "zapped" while using their cell phones. After say, FIVE offenses of using their cell phones while driving, the officers in a passing police cruiser that catch someone with their cell phone pressed against their head while driving press a "special button" which makes the CELL PHONE DETONATE (1 oz Semtex in all cell phones) EXPLODING THE USER'S HEAD as blood, brains, bones
fly all over the car (and on any passengers) out the window and an example is made of abusers of the cell phone law!!!

4) Since these new cell phones have a built-in electric shock, they could be monitored by our government for key words and phrases. Example:Every time someone criticizes the President or government, they get a shock! Someone says the Lawd's name in vain? Electric shock from their cell phone!

Just a matter of time before most people would be conditioned to obey and do as they're told.


What's that you say?

"Its an invasion of privacy and a police state I'm speaking of? An abuse of technology to make it easier for government to control and keep tabs on the American people?"

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?! This isn't exactly the "free society" it used to be.

From the Right-

"But DF, you-you speak of treason! What're you?! A Liberal commie socialist Godless nutcase?! What am I gonna do? I'M going to listen to Rush, then watch Bill O' Reilly and check out nude photos of Ann Coulter on the web! Yup! This is Amurica! Land of the free an' home of the brave!! An you spineless Liberals shure ain't brave! An' DF, my government doesn't "listen in" on me, cus I'm a loyal citizen to the Decider! Why dontcha move to Iran, ya terrorist sympathizer?! Scuse me, DF, I've got a hot date with my 1st Cousin tonight! Yup! Depraved, sick evil Liberal!! Whut kinda idjit wants a better world?!"

[colossus27]

Raise the driving age to 21 or 22; our brains aren't fully developed until around 25 or later, and kids are way too impulsive to be entrusted with high-speed, life-or-death decisions. Check the stats if you doubt this.

Actually our brains start shrinking in the early 20s.

And while it applies to a very limited number of people, most of the new drivers in Formula One start before the age of 22. It's not the age thing- it's experience that matters. I know 2 kids, under the age of 15, that know more about how a car handles than most adults. They've been karting since the age of ten. I'd say that if you raise the age to 21, you'll have clueless 21 year olds driving.

Well, more clueless 21 year olds

Driver Ed is a waste of time- when was the last time they took a car on a pylon course? Snow? Wet skidpad? Gravel on a 90° turn? Manual transmissions? They need at least 20 hours of instructed time in all conditions. And lots of solo time.

[concernedwnyer]

Actually our brains start shrinking in the early 20s.

And while it applies to a very limited number of people, most of the new drivers in Formula One start before the age of 22. It's not the age thing- it's experience that matters. I know 2 kids, under the age of 15, that know more about how a car handles than most adults. They've been karting since the age of ten. I'd say that if you raise the age to 21, you'll have clueless 21 year olds driving.

Well, more clueless 21 year olds

Driver Ed is a waste of time- when was the last time they took a car on a pylon course? Snow? Wet skidpad? Gravel on a 90° turn? Manual transmissions? They need at least 20 hours of instructed time in all conditions. And lots of solo time.

The answer is simple. What in sam hills is a 16 year old doing driving a vehicle that weighs in at a few thousand pounds???????

Oh kid has to go to a job????? It s part time, have the parent take him or her and pick them up.......

Min age should be 18 years old and bar none. The other day a 14 year was killed because the 18 year old driver was driving to fast and racing against another car........... Oh they are both great kids that caused the accident...... BS the 18 year old abviously is not responsible enough to handle a vehicle and he lived!!!! I do not care how well a 16 year old or younger could tear apart a vehicle and know how it operates! Read the book until you are at least 18 and then it is only a learner's permit basis.

[Surfing USA]

Driver Ed is a waste of time- when was the last time they took a car on a pylon course? Snow? Wet skidpad? Gravel on a 90° turn? Manual transmissions? They need at least 20 hours of instructed time in all conditions. And lots of solo time.

When I took Driver Ed, we used to hide the vehicle and hang out at Dunkin Donuts. When we did drive, my instructor would let us do burnouts and drive like complete idiots in general. Needless to say, I'm one of the few that actually enjoyed Driver Ed.

[concernedwnyer]

Actually our brains start shrinking in the early 20s.

For some a lot sooner then that. That is of course they have a brain to begin with.....

[colossus27]

The answer is simple. What in sam hills is a 16 year old doing driving a vehicle that weighs in at a few thousand pounds???????

And a fine point that is. Mandate nobody under 21 can operate a vehicle weighing more than 3200 pounds, all in the name of safety.

You'll see the SUV sales drop like a rock!

[Smiley]

Actually our brains start shrinking in the early 20s.

And while it applies to a very limited number of people, most of the new drivers in Formula One start before the age of 22. It's not the age thing- it's experience that matters. I know 2 kids, under the age of 15, that know more about how a car handles than most adults. They've been karting since the age of ten. I'd say that if you raise the age to 21, you'll have clueless 21 year olds driving.

Well, more clueless 21 year olds

Driver Ed is a waste of time- when was the last time they took a car on a pylon course? Snow? Wet skidpad? Gravel on a 90° turn? Manual transmissions? They need at least 20 hours of instructed time in all conditions. And lots of solo time.

My Driver Ed teacher, IMO was great. Back then the course, taken at school, was for 6 months. Started in September and ended in Feb. Besides the normal driving and parking lessons, In the winter months he would have us go into the school parking lot, early in the morning,(no cars there) when there was ice on the lot and have us put it into a skid and bring it out of it. We had to take the car and pull up to the back of the building and park it exactly 6 inches from the building. Now that means that both corners of the front bumper had to be 6 inches each. Most kids now a days don't have a clue.

[mesue]

...
Barring that, maybe force them to drive cars which cannot go faster than about 35mph.

They still make Yugos?