Driven to distraction

Some lawyers are going even further and are suing the people on the other end of accident-causing text conversations.

As far as how to convince your kids not to text and drive, start with a conversation. Read them the paragraphs above and tell them about the legal, financial, and physical consequences. But be aware that peer pressure and a “what-could-possibly-happen-in-one-second?” philosophy could win out.

So you have to establish and enforce some extremely serious rules, something like “if i see you texting while you’re behind the wheel or i hear from anyone that you did, you’ll lose your driving privileges for six months. no exceptions, no second chances, no arguments.”

Because the stakes are so high, i suggest that you take some steps that go beyond words. The OneProtect, from 10n2 Technologies (10n2tek.com) is a terrific app that senses when the phone is travelling above certain speeds and disables it unless it’s being used via Bluetooth or hands-free. it can also tell the difference between a driver and a passenger (to be considered a “passenger” so you can use your phone, you have to go through an impossible-to-cheat onscreen test). OneProtect has a suite of other safety-improving, distraction-eliminating features. Unfortunately, it’s not available for iPhones. — McClatchy-Tribune news Service.

Armin Brott is the author of The MilitaryFather:aHands-On GuideForDeployedDads and TheexpectantFather:Facts, Tips,andadviceForDads-ToBe. Readers may e-mail him at armin@askmrdad.com.