TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Feb 12, 2016 2:25:12 GMT
Dd will get her license March 31st.
We would like to utilize an app that disables her ability to use her phone for apps, texting, and iTunes while in motion. However, we still need her to be able to make a call in case of an emergency.
I don't care about tracking her. We trust her in that respect, but the phone is just too tempting.
It would also be nice to have speed and hard braking alerts.
Any suggestions?
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AllieC
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Posts: 3,057 
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Post by AllieC on Feb 12, 2016 4:31:03 GMT
I've never heard of apps but I think iPhones have a Do Not Disturb function in settings which silences all calls and texts.
My dd always has her phone on silent and is a newly licensed driver. She got into the habit when she was in her learners permit of putting her phone in the glove box so it is out of reach. I think rather than an app, it is really important for them to learn the discipline to never use their phone when driving.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,123
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Post by iowgirl on Feb 12, 2016 5:09:15 GMT
That would be quite an app!
DS's new car wasn't running quite right, so I took it in to the dealer quick.... Low and behold he had overboosted the turbo TWICE! LOL
The mechanic was rather sheepish about telling me about it... seems he remember being 17 quite well. I had a nice chat with DS about it. His jaw about hit the floor when I told him what all showed up on the computer when they hooked it up. He was just trying it out.. LOL For the most part he is a pretty sedate driver - as far as teenage boys go. He has been driving a long time though and all repairs are on his dime.
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Post by nurseypants on Feb 12, 2016 5:20:32 GMT
I would imagine she could disable any app you placed on her phone. I agree that she should develop the discipline to use her phone responsibly. If you don't think she's ready to do that, can you really say she's ready to drive?
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Post by Basket1lady on Feb 12, 2016 6:43:36 GMT
Have her put her phone in the trunk, glove box, back seat... Somewhere she can't reach. Make it conditional to driving and have your friends and family be on the lookout for her driving around town. I do that with the parents of DD's friends. When we get together, we talk about where we've seen each other's kids and how they were driving. So far, I have only good things to report and I've had teen drivers in the house for about 22 months now.
I agree with the others who say that if you can't trust her, she shouldn't be driving. In Virginia, a parent can legally take away a minor's license. Minors have to go to court with a parent or guardian to get their real license. The judge tells you all sorts of little tidbits like that, and gives some good punishments for bad driving choices. Like riding the bus.
Any app that's out there she can conveniently forget to able/disable. The vehicle's computer will tell you about erratic driving, but you need the proper sort of computer to upload the data.
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JustTricia
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Posts: 2,825
Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Feb 12, 2016 11:42:32 GMT
My son will be taking driver's ed soon, so something I've been thinking about as well.
My problem with the glove box or trunk suggestion is what if there is an emergency? God forbid, in a crash he couldn't call 911 if his phone was in the trunk. And, what about the times where we've said if you are suspicious about a police officer pulling you over to call 911 to verify it is police? That could be done on speaker phone, so he could still have his hands on the wheel, but not if his phone is away. Worst case scenarios, yes, but they have happened to people.
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Post by wordsmith on Feb 12, 2016 13:28:18 GMT
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Post by maryland on Feb 12, 2016 13:34:42 GMT
Driving has always been my biggest worry about the teen years, ever since my daughters were babies. I look forward to all the teen things, dances, dating, school activities, etc. But not driving!  That sounds like a great idea to get an app for disabling the phone. Our oldest just got her license (she is 18 and a freshman at an out of state college). We always told her to put the phone in the trunk, it's just too tempting for the kids. And my husband does not set a good example because he always is using his phone while driving. If she needs to make a call, pull off to a parking area and use it.' |
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Post by maryland on Feb 12, 2016 13:39:52 GMT
My son will be taking driver's ed soon, so something I've been thinking about as well. My problem with the glove box or trunk suggestion is what if there is an emergency? God forbid, in a crash he couldn't call 911 if his phone was in the trunk. And, what about the times where we've said if you are suspicious about a police officer pulling you over to call 911 to verify it is police? That could be done on speaker phone, so he could still have his hands on the wheel, but not if his phone is away. Worst case scenarios, yes, but they have happened to people. Good point about being able to call if he has crashed and needs a phone close by. I never thought of that (trapped in a car and can't get to the trunk). I always felt that there is a much better chance for my child to cause a crash by texting that than to need to reach the phone. But you are right, if they are in an accident, they need to call for help. |
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Post by maryland on Feb 12, 2016 13:44:44 GMT
I've never heard of apps but I think iPhones have a Do Not Disturb function in settings which silences all calls and texts. My dd always has her phone on silent and is a newly licensed driver. She got into the habit when she was in her learners permit of putting her phone in the glove box so it is out of reach. I think rather than an app, it is really important for them to learn the discipline to never use their phone when driving. I heard something on the Today show a couple months ago about putting a message on your phone. Like "Ann is driving right now and cannot answer your call/text" What I like about that is my kids seem to panic if they don't answer the text/call right away. If the texter/caller is told the person is driving, then it then my child won't be worrying about not answering because the person will know they are driving. I am not explaining this well! Maybe someone has this and can explain better. I want this for my husband too! |
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Post by debmast on Feb 12, 2016 13:49:08 GMT
I've never heard of apps but I think iPhones have a Do Not Disturb function in settings which silences all calls and texts. My dd always has her phone on silent and is a newly licensed driver. She got into the habit when she was in her learners permit of putting her phone in the glove box so it is out of reach. I think rather than an app, it is really important for them to learn the discipline to never use their phone when driving. I have a 19 year old driver who uses the DND feature when she drives. She told me she has her father and I as "favorites" so that if we were to call her, the call will ring thru, but no other calls, texts or notifications come through. If her phone rings, she will find somewhere she can pull over and call us back. I'll be honest, I wasn't aware this was an option before she did it and told me about it. She's 9 hours away at college and wanted me to be aware if she doesn't respond to me, she is behind the wheel. I also have a 15 year old who will soon be driving and I think this will be something we have her do as well. A high school senior from my daughter's school died this fall in an accident, and he was texting at the time. Senseless. But I think was a big reality check for many of these kids |
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Post by anxiousmom on Feb 12, 2016 13:51:12 GMT
Best thing we can do as parents with driving is model the behavior that we want the kids to emulate. Beyond that, I think that any app we try to put on their phones will either be ignored or disabled. I have long resigned myself to the fact that if I know about some kind of app, the kids have either figured out a way to circumvent it or moved on to a new one-particularly if it is one that in any way appears to monitor or record their behavior.
I don't particularly care for how either of my children drive. We have a constant argument over using the phones at red lights. Both agree that using it while driving is stupid-they have learned that lesson well-but don't think that at a red light is a big deal. I do. Arguments ensue.
I think that the kids who are learning to drive now understand that texting and driving is a bad deal. I could be wrong, but the majority of texting/driving accidents I hear about are the older generations who think that because they have been driving for longer they can multitask better than the teens and do it regardless of statistics that say otherwise.
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Post by cmpeter on Feb 12, 2016 15:39:01 GMT
A friend with a Windows phone had a setting that texts back a message "sorry can't answer your text now, I am driving". I haven't seen anything like that for iPhones though.
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Post by Basket1lady on Feb 16, 2016 19:48:53 GMT
USAA just sent me this today. If you have USAA, it may be worth looking into for your DD. Or your insurance company may have something similar.
But I'll admit, I'm leery of giving an insurance company this information. I've driven behind DD numerous times and I think she is driving appropriately. I'm not sure when quick stops became the bad thing, though. If someone pulls in front of you or stops suddenly, of course you are going to want to stop quickly yourself. Maybe it's because we live in such a congested area with a lot of drivers from other cultures? I probably find myself braking hard at least once a day.
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Post by BoilerUp! on Feb 16, 2016 19:54:03 GMT
It would also be nice to have speed and hard braking alerts. Any suggestions? Don't have anything regarding the app for her phone, but if you have Drivewise program with Allstate insurance, you can get a vehicle report and see the speed, time of day/night driving, brake alerts, etc. You get a discount on your insurance also if you have it, and get a desirable ranking. Good Luck, my dd (baby of the house) starts driving soon also, I completely understand! |
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Post by FLA SummerBaby on Feb 16, 2016 20:13:37 GMT
Basket1lady -- thanks for sharing that!! I am USAA member and have a 19 yo DD and would be interested in this. She is a very good driver, but every little bit of positive reinforcement helps. Also appreciate knowing about the DND option. My DD just got a smart phone last year after she turned 18. Prior to that she had a "flip phone" that was only good for calls and texts. She learned to drive with her phone being out of reach on the back seat, so this option of DND sounds like a better alternative. Good luck to all!!
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 20:34:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 20:26:09 GMT
USAA just sent me this today. If you have USAA, it may be worth looking into for your DD. Or your insurance company may have something similar. But I'll admit, I'm leery of giving an insurance company this information. I've driven behind DD numerous times and I think she is driving appropriately. I'm not sure when quick stops became the bad thing, though. If someone pulls in front of you or stops suddenly, of course you are going to want to stop quickly yourself. Maybe it's because we live in such a congested area with a lot of drivers from other cultures? I probably find myself braking hard at least once a day. My roommate has an adapter installed on his car to get cheaper insurance. It tracks hard breaking and fast acceleration. He doesn't get the discount because it reads his accelerating to enter the highway with really short on ramps as accelerating too quickly. He doesn't have a choice, he is entering traffic going 110km an hour and most of the on ramps around here are extremely short. He has to be that speed quickly. But, the adapter doesn't allow for that and it's reported to his insurance. So is breaking hard to avoid someone cutting you off. His insurance company doesn't make exceptions. However, this is canadian insurance and american might be different but something to think about if you travel highways frequently. |
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johnnysmom
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Feb 16, 2016 20:44:16 GMT
Don't other states have laws about teens and phones? I know both Ohio and Michigan (we live right on the border so ds will drive in both once he's old enough......too soon!) have laws about teens using a phone for any purpose before they're 18. Ohio's Law: Michigan is basically the same: www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/an_important_chance_to_step_up.htmlI realize that teens think they won't get caught but perhaps the threat of $2-300 ticket, points on the license, risk of losing license, etc might deter them a tiny bit. |
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TankTop
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Feb 16, 2016 21:08:29 GMT
I have been a good model for dd. my husband, not so much.
Although I feel she is ready to drive, I also know temptation is strong for teens. They feel invincible. Any extra protection I can get for her I am all for.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Feb 16, 2016 22:54:27 GMT
My roommate has an adapter installed on his car to get cheaper insurance. It tracks hard breaking and fast acceleration. He doesn't get the discount because it reads his accelerating to enter the highway with really short on ramps as accelerating too quickly. He doesn't have a choice, he is entering traffic going 110km an hour and most of the on ramps around here are extremely short. He has to be that speed quickly. But, the adapter doesn't allow for that and it's reported to his insurance. So is breaking hard to avoid someone cutting you off. His insurance company doesn't make exceptions.
However, this is Canadian insurance and American might be different but something to think about if you travel highways frequently.
TankTop , There are several insurance companies that offer what mom mentioned. Belair Direct and Desargdans Insurance are only 2 examples that I can think of.
Certainly there must be some insurance company in the United States that offers this similar service. |
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