We have all seen the teenager texting with both hands while driving with his knees.  And before we throw stones some of us should probably admit that we have done it ourselves a time or two.  For some reason, we need to get that text out, because if we wait the 5 more minutes until we get home, our heads might explode.  The reality is, this is a problem.  Driving and talking/texting makes the road a MUCH more dangerous place.  But how do we deal with it?  Of course the first step lies in obeying the annoyingly self righteous yet accurately wise bumper sticker that tells us to "Shut up and Drive!"  Fair enough.  But what about those in our charge?  What about our children who will be getting behind the wheel strapped with hormones and a blackberry?  AP writer Paul Foy has a good article looking at the options and notes that, as the articles title indicates, "technology to stop phone use in cars isn't perfect." 

The article surveys 3 different technologies designed to stop cell phone usage in the car, all of them revolving around disabling the cell phone while driving.  While each of these work, they turn out to be a scorched earth approach to the situation, sometimes working a little too well.  There are certain situations where disabling the cell phone is desirable, but others that are not (riding as a passenger, in a bus, train, etc.). What is so helpful about the article is this paragraph, quoting Parry Aftab, who advises families on technology and safety: 

"More and more, we see any solution is, in large part, education and awareness, parents getting involved," said Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety.org. Driving and cell phone use can be a bad combination, "but so is putting on makeup and eating a three-course meal," Aftab said. "I wish technology providers would look hard at the problems before coming up with a knee-jerk solution."

And here is what he is saying.  These solutions simply don't get to the heart of the matter.  Why?  Because by the time you are doing damage control on something, the damage is already done.  Preventative measures don't change behavior, because behind behavior, at least this kind of behavior, is the fact that kids and adults alike are underneath the tyranny of the urgent to communicate NOW.  It is this impulse to stay connected that leads everyone to disobey the no cell phone laws, and for tech saavy teenagers to find a "workaround" solution to the GPS devices mentioned in the article.  

The responsibility, as always, first and foremost lies with parents and how they approach the situation with their kids.  Of course they are going to do what they are going to do when they get behind the wheel.  We just need to do our best to help them make wise decisions.  With that in mind, here are some ideas for helping your kids be responsible with cell phones while driving.  Not all of them will work for everyone, but maybe you can find a fit. 

1. Don't get your kid a cellphone.  Seriously, I didn't have one until I was 25 and survived fine.  I realize that this is an old crumudgeon argument, and that being so detached from prevalent technology is much more difficult than the surface suggests.  It also doesn't really teach responsibility, but it might work best for your situation.  
2. Slow down!  Your life is busy, and you feel, like Bilbo Baggins, "like butter spread over too much bread."  This of course is what is driving you to yuck it up while on the road.  The reality is, most of us are so busy out of habit, because we think we need to be.  Slow your life down and throw on some Classical music while in the car.  This will show your kid a. that you can relax without being a slave to your job, and b. that you are willing to drive without talking on the phone.
3. Be honest about your addiction to talking on the phone while in the car, or if you actually don't, try to sympathize with your kid about it.  Condemnation helps little.  Come alongside your kid and and be firm yet understanding about the situaiton.  Ask your kid to hold you accountable.  Be open to rebuke.  
4. Work together to find a solution.  Giving them ownership over an idea will help it sink in. 
   
5. Hold them accountable.  If you catch them talking on the phone, take the phone, the car, or both away for a time.  You are in charge!

I fully realize that all of this goes up in flames the minute you do all of this, and then your kid cheerfully gives you the bird and continues talking/texting and driving anyways.  Of course parenting is never this simple.  The above tips don't fix anything, but encourage a change in heart and therefore behavior.  At the end of the day, your kid has to make the decision.  You can only equip them the best you can. 

These may seem a bit obvious, but helpful reminders nonetheless.  And also from the desk of Captain Obvious, they apply to every day of the year, not just holidays.  Drive safe and have a merry Christmas! 

We all shrink back in horror when we hear about people leaving their kids in the car.  We even tend to look down on such people.  But it is easy to have our self righteousness squashed when our cars begin to fill up with little humans.  This article gives some good pointers, as well as some good product recommendations, for avoiding something that could be truly disastrous.  The writer speaks from experience, and is bold enough to share that he is not always the perfect parent.  Still, it only takes one mistake, and as well intentioned as we might be, there is no second chance when it comes to the lives of our children.  My hope is that all of us will slow down enough to constantly think about what is important, even if doing so seems tedious to our blow and go schedules. 

See here for some info on the Childminder System mentioned in the article. 

No matter where you live, there is one universal sign that school is back in session: the crossing guard. It almost seems like the weather changes overnight and the trees turn a little golden when the crossing guards and orange cones emerge for the morning commute.

Back in my day, crossing guards were paired with elementary school children who served as "safety patrols." The adult crossing guard was always present (well, most of the time) to boldly walk into the middle of the street to stop traffic and allow children to cross an intersection. The patrols wore a bright orange belt that was affixed like a shoulder-crossing seatbelt, and carried a flagpole to keep the waiting gaggle of children off the road until the guard called out, "Crossing!"

If you were lucky enough to BE a patrol in elementary school, then you had the enviable task of affixing a vinyl orange flag to something to form an acceptable flagpole. The best poles were made with bamboo. They were strong and you could easily role up your flag when the job was done. Some kids used an old broomstick. I had a piece of PVC pipe. (At the time, I thought it was a very modern and cutting edge choice. But, really, it's just because I couldn't find any bamboo.)

I had a nice career as a safety patrol. I proudly worked my way up from a lowly silver-badge private to a sargeant (green badge), lieutenant (red badge) and then...at last...the coveted captain (blue badge). Occasionally one of us would perform some feat of safety that would inspire our P.E. teacher (and safety patrol sponsor) to award us The Gold Badge, which we got to proudly display for one week. I still have that photo of the 5th grade patrols with the P.E. coach...

Why all the fuss about crossing guards and patrols? Safety. Here are some key things to remember when school is in session:

• Obey the speed limit. If you hate slowing down, find another route in that doesn't involve a school zone. 
• Pay extra attention in a school zone -- even if you are in a hurry. A child was killed in Texas last year when morning sun was in a driver's eyes. The car struck the little girl at a slow speed, but she did not survive. 
• Do not talk on a cellphone in a school zone. It's distracting, and some municipalities have already banned hand-held cellphone use in school zones.  
• If you are a student or parent walking to school, do not listen to an MP3 player while walking. You need to be aware of your surroundings.
  
• Stop for a school bus whenever you see its red flashing lights. Most children are injured while entering or exiting a bus. 

If you are shopping for a car and have kids, it's a good time to check your child safety seats to ensure that they work properly and are installed correctly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration, more than 90,000 children under the age of eight are killed every year in auto crashes. Three out of four safety seats do not pass an inspection for proper installation. Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 21-27, and the NHTSA is hoping to spread awareness of the importance of seat inspection. 

Today, many auto dealers not only help you with buying a car or finding an auto loan, they can also help you properly install your kids' safety seats. Every year more of them send their dealership personnel to certification classes for installing restraints, and hold child passenger safety inspection days at their stores. Fire stations, hospitals and other organizations can also inspect your car seats. The NHTSA has a great tool that allows you to search for inspection locations near you. 

And don't forget booster seats. Research shows that the majority of the 20 million booster seat-aged children (generally kids between ages four and eight) are not properly secured while riding in automobiles.