DriveSafeRideSafe LOVES the PROM- and we want both parents and their teens to have fond memories too.
Check out this YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwTszQQgpks
This video combines a “blast from the past” with two critical pre-emptive moves every Parent should make before their teen heads out the door on prom night. Veteran Accident Investigator and Expert Safety Instructor, Mike Pehl, gives parents some great tips on how to prevent a Prom “Dream Date” from becoming a nightmare.
Does this look like a dangerous driving day to you?
We all know winter driving is extra risky.
But what about a hopeful day in March, when the sun is shining & you’re congratulating yourself for surviving another season of snow and ice?
Kelly with her husband
There’s a surprising risk in Springtime, which Kelly Cusick from DriveSafeRideSafe experienced just the other day.
Read her story below:
It was a classic Minnesota Winter driving day in late March.
Still plenty cold, but the combination created the ILLUSION of Springtime.
It taught me a lesson about a different kind of driving danger at this time of year.
On my way to picking up kids from school, I saw two crashes. One was a vehicle in the highway median – upright, but actually between the guard rails!
It wasn’t rush hour. The “data” was puzzling.
How many times do people take their eyes off the road because the phone is ringing, or become distracted by the sound of an incoming text? In a world of constant communication, sometimes it’s hard not to respond - but now it’s easy, without putting oneself or anyone else in danger.
Luckily, mother of two, Marla Ghiringhelli of California came up with a solution to this problem.
1.The most important safety device in a vehicle is a seat belt.
True or False
2. Most fatal crashes happen on rural and county roads.
True or False
3. You may use a right turn lane to pass a vehicle that is turning left in front of you.
True or False
4. Driver’s must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
True or False
5. The deadliest month on the roads in Minnesota is January.
True or False
And the answers are-
1. True. The seat belt is the most important safety device in a vehicle.
2. True. Rural and county roads account for about 60% of fatal crashes
3. False. Using a right turn lane to pass a vehicle that is turning left in front of you is not only illegal it is dangerous.
4. True. Driver’s must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
5. False. Although January roads can be dangerous, the months with the most fatalities from traffic crashes are July and August.
Adolescent and teen passengers are more likely to die if a teen driver is behind the wheel. Starting at age 12-14, a young passengers risk of dying in a crash involved a teen driver doubles.
Tweens are dying in car crashes at a rate of more than one a day. And tens of thousands are injured every year. About half of those who dies were not wearing a seat belt. A third were sitting in the front seat (not recommended for under age 13). These tween died not just because they got into crashes, they died because of where and how they were riding in the first place.
Behaviors that can increase a Tween Passenger’s safety:
-Always wear a seatbelt
-Be a good passenger and help reduce driver distraction in the car
-Be a second set of eyes, pay attention to the road and other drivers
-Check in with your parents upon departure and arrival at a destination
- Avoid cell phone use including texting
Safe Text Sender is a new app for the Android market that eliminates the distraction and temptation from replying to incoming text messages and phone calls while driving or participating in life’s activities. It’s about staying present, focused and safe.
How many times do people take their eyes off the road because the phone is ringing, or become distracted by the sound of an incoming text? In a world of constant communication, sometimes it’s hard not to respond – but now it’s easy, without putting oneself or anyone else in danger.
Safe Text Sender is a new app for the Android market that eliminates the distraction and temptation from replying to incoming text messages and phone calls while driving. This lifesaving app simply silences mobile phones (without interrupting GPS navigation or interfering with emergency situations) and automatically replies to incoming texts and calls, indicating the user is “driving” and using the Safe Text Sender app to respond. Once the driver reaches their destination, users can safely read and reply messages Safe Text Sender has conveniently filed for quick access.
Safe Text Sender’s benefits go beyond driver safety. Whether someone is playing golf, at the movies, out to dinner or in a meeting, Safe Text Sender simply deploys customized automatic away messages pertaining to any current activity.
Unfortunately, texting and driving is all too common – but it’s deadly. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a car crash than a non-texting driver and 80% of car accidents are attributed to distracted drivers. In just a blink of an eye, drivers replying to incoming text messages and calls can change their lives and the lives of others forever, instantly.
By activating Safe Text Sender, drivers are making the simple choice to protect oneself and others on the road. Be smart and choose Safe Text Sender and remember, it’s automatic in the automobile.
Available for download at Google Apps and http://www.safetextsender.com .
When a child turns sixteen there is a universal feeling of excitement over the prospect of getting their drivers license. Dreams of freedom and independence race through their minds as the giddily await the day where mom and dad hand over the keys. While teenagers dream – mom and dad have nightmares worrying about whether or not they will be safe on the road. Fear of car accidents and reckless driving race through their mind as they await that dreaded moment when Junior asks for the keys.
Many states have enacted laws to help keep teen drivers safe by requiring them to gradually work their way up to complete driving access. Regardless of what your state requires parents have the right, and should, make rules of their own. Your teen may protest but it is better to have an angry teenager than an injured or dead one. Over 5,000 teens die in car accidents every year –more than from any other cause. It is critical that parents take enforcing safe driving practices seriously in order to keep their children safe. Yes, turning 16 is an exciting time and one to look forward to but turning 17 is even more important.
Here are some things you can do to protect your kids:
1. Driving Classes. It is essential for teens to take a drivers education course. They need to learn the rules of the road, classroom style, then practice driving with an instructor. Driving can be dangerous so working with an instructor in a safe environment is critical. They need to learn how to do things like quickly break, use their turn signal, use their mirrors etc. before ever driving on the road.
2. Defensive Driving. Teens need to practice looking for potential accidents. One way to do that is to have them look for dangers while riding with you. Have them point out potential hazards like children playing with the basketball or the stop sign that cars often run. They need to recognize the dangers of the road so that they can respond quickly.
3. Practice. Have your teen practice with you or another adult in the car for a couple months. A few times out is simply not enough. Make sure they are driving like a pro before you stop riding with them.
4. Cell Phones. Do not let your teen drive with a cell phone. Demand that they place it in the glove box or out of reach so that if it goes off they are not tempted to check a text and use a phone while driving. Cell phones contribute to 28% of accidents and allowing them to use one while driving is a receipe for disaster.
5. Friends. Establish a rule that they cannot drive with friends for the first six months. Having friends in the car may cause your teen to push the limit to show off or cause them to be distracted. Keep them safe by allowing them to drive solo.
6. Curfew. Do not let your teen drive late at night. Determine what time you are comfortable with and enforce a curfew. That curfew may be earlier than one they have now but driving while tired can have the same effect as driving drunk. Do not put your teen at risk by letting them drive late.
Talk to your teen about what to do in the event that they are in an accident. Make sure they have an insurance agent and the agents contact information with them at all times. It is also a good idea to have an attorney on hand for emergencies. Most teens get into some type of car accident, even if a minor bump in the parking lot. Having an attorney on hand to call allows your teen to receive instructions on how to handle the accident. Attorneys like Davis, Saperstein & Salomon offer free consultations so there is no harm in calling. Stress with your teen the importance of staying safe and that as they prove they are responsible they will gradually gain more freedom on the road.
