The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

If you had to choose for your teen to drive through an icy winter storm or an 80-degree “not-a-cloud-in-the-sky” day, which would you prefer? If you’re like most, you’ll probably put your trust in the warm summer day as opposed to the blistery winter one. Now, ask yourself the same question after reading the following statistic: According to the  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety  (IIHS), the summer months of June, July, and August consistently have  higher teenage crash deaths  than any other month. It would take a rare parent to send their teenager off for a drive during a winter storm without a few words of warning (if you were to even let them behind the wheel at all!) But do you allow yourself the same pause for reflection before your son hops in the car after summer practice to go to the beach with friends? Or when your daughter pulls out of the driveway on a warm July night to catch a movie? Here’s to making summer 2015 the safest one ...

Most teens believe they are invincible, however when it comes to driving a vehicle, they need to understand their responsibility not only to themselves, but to other drivers and their passengers. The Safe Teen Driving Club and TeenDriving.com may be a place to start with your new driver. Located just outside of Jacksonville, The Safe Teen Driving Club , Inc., is based in Atlanta, Georgia has been chartered to help parents educate, mentor, manage and monitor their teen drivers. They provide parents of teen drivers with tools, services and technology solutions they need to monitor the driving habits of their young drivers. With the help of parents, teen drivers can enjoy enhanced safety, security and protection. The Safe Teen Driving Club and TeenDriving.com has some parenting tips for parents that are dealing with new drivers.  Now, during a holiday weekend, it is a great reminder that parents need to remind their teenagers to drive safely and one of the biggest ...

As many schools will be off for the holiday break, and many more college students will be driving home, have they taken the time to be sure their car is ready for the road? We get busy with our shopping, packing, cooking, party planning - but do you take the same diligence with your automobile? FACT: A growing body of research indicates that close parental management of teen drivers can lead to less risky driving behavior, fewer traffic tickets, and fewer crashes. FACT: In 2008, about 3,500 teens in the United States aged 15-19 were killed in motor-vehicle crashes. FACT: Just like reviewing a school report card for good grades, using the CarCheckup system will allow your teen to prove that they are a safe and responsible driver. FACT :  Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations. FACT:   In 2008, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p...

The scary reality is that as anxious as your teen is to get their driver's license , the risk of them having an auto accident increases.  For any parent this is stressful and is a point of concern.  Parents and their teens need to understand the major responsibility they undertake when they hit the road.  Yes, parents too.  They need to lead by example and be a good role model.   If a parent doesn't use their seatbelt, which is the law in Florida , the teen is likely to mimic this when the parent is not around. A new group called, GoTellMom.com is hitting the pavement and creating an awareness and accountability to drive responsibly. The goal of the program: to protect teenage drivers and promote safe driving habits.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), " Drivers aged 16 to 19 years of age have the highest average annual crash and traffic violation rates of any other age grou p." In addition, " 16-y...

Teen driving.   There is more to teaching our teens how to drive than just being behind the wheel.  Responsibility is " key " - and that is literally! Have you ever locked your keys in the car or simply lost your keys?  What do you do?  Of course years ago the hanger was a simple solution, however with newer model cars, you can potentially damage them that way. Safety matters in all situations and when your teen hits the road solo it can be a moment of stress and anxiety for most parents.  However many have been called when they have lost their keys or locked them in the car?  It is a call, although it could be so much worse, it is stressful and time consuming. Many parents have a membership to AAA which can save you a lot of money and grief, since getting help is only a toll-free call away and usually the costs are minimum. Some insurance plans also offer emergency roadside services. American Family Insurance offers a fantastic Teen Safe...

I am currently reading, " Crash-Proof Your Kids " and I am so impressed at all the information in one book! Of course, I cheated and moved forward in the book, and couldn't believe how much valuable tips, statistics and advice is listed. As soon as I am done, I will place this book on my Books and Website blog . For now, I think this is such a critical topic for parents, I am posting an article from the author from the website, Crash Proof Your Kids . The Jekyll/Hyde Syndrome By Timothy C. Smith As parents of teenagers we’re already painfully aware of their ability to change their personality overnight. Or sometimes in the course of half an hour, depending on the fluctuations of hormone flow and incredibly annoying things we do to trigger their bizarre behavioral changes. Well, recent research indicates that there really is a biological basis for this schizoid behavior. Dr. Jay Giedd, chief of brain imaging in the child psychiatry branch at the National Institute of Me...

Source: Education.com by Anita M. Smith, Vice President, the Institute for Youth Development Source: The Institute for Youth Development TEEN DRIVING It's one of the few rites of passage in the American culture. A time of exhilaration for teens, a mixture of relief and dread for parents. And no matter how intense the anticipation or anxiety, it is an inevitable step for both parents and teens - teen driving. While many teenagers can't wait to sit behind a steering wheel signifying more independence, many parents try to delay handing the car keys to their son or daughter. This step is fraught with emotions and can quickly become a less than positive experience for both parents and teens. While nothing will solve all the issues or salve all the emotions related to teen driving, some common sense approaches by parents can help assure their children's safe transition through this period. Whether your children are toddlers or teens, consider the following ideas: 1.Decide on your...