Parenting advice: The rules of the road

Teaching children how to safely operate an automobileban on text messaging while driving, 67 percent believe
is one of the most important measures fathers andthere should be more regulation over making calls and
mothers can take to keep their kids safe.75 percent of respondents believe these rules should
Today, if a teen has a driver's permit or license, he orapply to all drivers.
she is probably old enough to have a cell phone too."In recent months, the debate about the dangers of
Mobile phones are a great way to stay in touch withDWD (driving while distracted) has intensified as more
loved ones, especially as they graduate intoand more states consider taking legislative action," said
independence. It's never a bad idea to give your son orBill Windsor, an insurance agency safety officer. "The
daughter a call to make sure everything is alright.survey results confirm that there is strong public
However, he or she is probably also using that cellsupport for banning texting while driving. It also provides
phone to send text messages to friends. Textinsight into support for additional restrictions
messages can be a lot of fun so long as they're sentpolicymakers may want to consider."
and received at the right time, and the right time isFathers and mothers with strong parenting skills know
never behind the wheel of a car.when their children are at risk. If you feel like your son
An insurance survey that polled people nationwideor daughter doesn't yet understand the importance of
revealed that 8 out of 10 Americans believe that cellautomobile safety, take some time to educate them.
phone use while driving should be more heavilyConsider explaining to them that being distracted on
restricted. More specifically, the survey reported thatthe road could potentially be dangerous and urge them
80 percent of Americans believe there should be ato refrain from using the phone while driving.