Sue Scheff: Be an example to your teens: Under Your Influence
by Sue Scheff on Jun 17, 2010
Summer is well on its’ way and there will be many new young teenagers anxious to get their drivers permit or drivers license.
Who are they going to listen to? Driving a vehicle is a big step in life and one that should not be taken lightly. Preparing for your teen to drive starts well before they get behind the wheel.
At the National PTA Conference, Under YOUR Influence promoted their resources to help educate parents to prepare their teens for this major responsibility called driving.
One very good point is made, if you are not your teen’s influence, then who will be? They could be relying on someone that doesn’t know the importance of wearing a seat belt. Are they aware of the Click It or Ticket law?
You are your teenager’s advocate and influence period. Parents are key to your teen learning to drive safely. Under Your Influence offers Practice Tips for Driving with Your Teen – Under Your Influence.
Did you know that 46% of teens admit to texting while driving? It is imperative you instill to your teen that they drive by the rules and they will be able to keep this privilege. Driving is a privilege and a responsibility. If they defy the rules, they will lose their privilege.
Learn more by visiting www.underyourinfluence.org.
Tags: Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Safe Teen Driving, Sue Scheff, Teen Driving
Sue Scheff: AT&T AWARDS $250,000 TO SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS DURING NATIONAL YOUTH TRAFFIC SAFETY MONTH
by Sue Scheff on May 22, 2010
Contribution Honors Those Who Took AT&T’s Pledge to Not Text & Drive
MIAMI, May 20, 2010 – As part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month, AT&T* is honoring the more than 28,000 individuals who have already taken AT&T’s pledge to not text and drive by contributing $250,000 to safety organizations committed to distracted driving prevention.
Contributions were given to: National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), ConnectSafely, Enough is Enough, Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), iKeepSafe, Put on the Brakes, Inc., Stay Alive Just Drive and Teens in the Driver Seat.
The recipients are committed to raising awareness about the risks of texting and driving and reminding teens that text messages can – and should – wait until after driving. The Txtng & Drivng campaign message of “It Can Wait” is particularly critical during May, National Youth Traffic Safety Month, a month when many teens are hitting the roads for prom, graduation parties, summer jobs and road trips with friends.
National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), a collaborative network of national organizations and federal agencies that focus on youth safety and health, is the primary recipient of the AT&T contribution. NOYS plays a major role in the efforts around National Youth Traffic Safety Month. During May, and throughout the year, NOYS empowers youth to take action and lead through peer to peer traffic safety education and service learning.
“Our nation’s teens are the most critical audience to reach. AT&T’s contributions will help empower the recipient organizations to continue spreading the important message that ‘It Can Wait’ – no text message is worth the risk of sending or reading while behind the wheel,” said Laura Sanford, president of the AT&T Foundation. “We encourage youth, and also their parents and teachers, to take the pledge at www.facebook.com/att and visit AT&T’s online resource center www.att.com/txtngcanwait to download information about texting while driving.”
“Distracted driving is a serious issue for all drivers – especially less experienced teen drivers,” said Sandy Spavone, executive director of NOYS. “National Organizations for Youth Safety is grateful for AT&T’s support and leadership to help keep our youth safe on the road.”
Since the campaign launched in March 2010, more than 13,000 visitors to the AT&T page on Facebook have taken the pledge to not text and drive, in addition to more than 15,000 AT&T employees. AT&T continues to raise awareness about the issue of texting and driving through a multifaceted initiative to educate employees, customers and the general public about using wireless devices safely while driving.
AT&T and its employees also remain committed to this effort. AT&T recently formed a Teen Advisory Council to provide input and feedback on the “It Can Wait” campaign. The panel, which includes 10 members – all teens of AT&T employees – from New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Illinois and California, was selected from more than 60 self-nominations submitted nationally. It meets quarterly using AT&T’s Telepresence videoconference facilities.
Since 2009, the company has revised its wireless and motor vehicle policies to more clearly and explicitly prohibit texting and driving, impacting its approximately 280,000 employees; incorporated a don’t-text-and-drive message on the plastic clings that protect handset screens on the majority of new devices sold in AT&T’s more than 2,200 stores; and will integrate campaign messaging in AT&T catalogs, in-store signage and collateral, bills, e-mails, newsletters and more.
Find More Information Online:
Web Site Links: Related Media Kits:
AT&T Web Site <http://www.att.com>
AT&T Wireless Web Site <http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/welcome/index.jsp>
AT&T Texting Can Wait <http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964>
AT&T Smart Limits <http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=9122>
Text Messaging <http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2805>
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff, Texting and Driving
Sue Scheff: Teen Truancy, Teens Dropping Out of School – Risk Losing their Driver’s License
by Sue Scheff on Apr 27, 2010
South Carolina is making headlines with their new proposed bill to revoke driving licenses of teens that drop out of high school or habitually skip their classes until they are 18 years old. At least 20 other states have passed this law, including Florida.
A Florida report shows that of the 8,400 teens whose licenses were suspended in 2007-08 for dropping out or accumulating 15 unexcused absences over 90 days, 96 percent of them re-enrolled.
“It confirms what we thought all along,” Betty Hyle, a team leader in the Florida Department of Education, said of the report. “Driving a car is a great incentive for teenagers.” Source: TandD.com
Years ago the challenge was choosing what college to attend, today many parents are struggling to get their teenager to finish high school.
According to Ad Council, approximately 7,000 high school students drop out every school day, which translates to one in three students. Once students make the decision to drop out, they lack the tools to compete in today’s society and diminish their chances for greater success in the future. But the decision to drop out of school does not happen overnight; it comes after years of frustration and failure. Often, those that drop out have run out of motivation and have no source of support or encouragement in school or at home.
For more information on Florida Teen Driving consequences related to truancy and dropping out of school, visit Florida High School Driver.
Ad Council Campaign, Boost Up helps motivate teens towards graduation!
Be an educated parent, you will have smarter teens! Watch PSA video here. Read more.
Tags: High School Dropouts, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff, Teen Driving, Teen Help, Teen Truancy, Teens Skipping School
Sue Scheff: Oprah Declares National No Phone Zone – Florida Moves Forward on Banning Texting and Driving Bill
by Sue Scheff on Apr 20, 2010
If Oprah says it, you can almost guaranty people are listening. On April 30th, 2010 Oprah is declaring it “National No Phone Zone Day” and encouraging every driver to sign the pledge not to text and drive or talk and drive! Distracted driving kills same as drunk driving does.
That is only part of it. In Florida, a bill passed the Senate Committee and is on its’ way to the State Capitol. This bill will ban texting and driving. Senator Nancy Detert presented this legislation stating, “People that are texting are generally drifting into your lane unbeknownst to them and we’ve seen studies that if you’re reading a text at 70 miles an hour, driving tons of machinery, generally you’re not looking at the road for up to seven seconds and that would be plenty of time to cause an accident.”
If passed, Detert’s bill would make texting while driving a secondary offense, which means drivers could only get a ticket if they were pulled over for another violation.
The first offense would be a non-moving violation with a fine of $30 plus court costs. A second violation within five years would be a moving violation and carry a fine of $60.
Senator Detert said her main goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and discourage drivers, especially teenagers, from forming that habit.
All of this comes as Oprah Winfrey encourages everyone to take the pledge. It is only a matter of time before texting and driving will be illegal, however until then, you could potentially be saving a life. Texting and driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Don’t take the risk, it just isn’t worth it.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Tags: Driving, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips, Teen Issues, Texting and Driving
Sue Scheff: Don’t Let Your Luck Run Out on St. Patrick’s Day
by Sue Scheff on Mar 13, 2010
Drive SOBER.
“I’m fine to drive.”
Expect to hear this line a lot on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day. Known as much for drinking as it is for shamrocks and the color green, this holiday is a fun time to be out with friends, but can be a dangerous time to be out on the road. Too many people are under the misconception that you need to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. They couldn’t be more wrong.
Nearly 12,000 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in 2008. That’s about one person every 45 minutes. You can’t help but wonder if those lives might have been saved if only people had thought twice before getting behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing to work together on the “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had “only a few drinks.” BuzzedDriving hopes to educate people on the reality that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, it’s important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. We need your help.
Get the word out that before going out after work to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you should be sure to line up alternative transportation: have the number for a taxi, know the area public transportation system or designate a sober driver.
Follow BuzzedDriving on Twitter (@buzzeddriving) and Facebook to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA. You can also visit their campaign Web site to sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game demonstrating how drinking can impair driving and hear a personal story from someone who has been affected by buzzed driving.
Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day and remember safety always comes first!
Watch the PSA video and read more on Examiner.
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Driving Drunk, Drunk Driving, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues
Sue Scheff: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving – Learn more
by Sue Scheff on Dec 30, 2009
With New Year’s Eve just a day away, now is the time to reach out to your friends and family about the dangers of Buzzed Driving. Buzzed driving kills the same as drunk driving.
In 2008, nearly 12,000 people in the U.S. were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes – and during the periods around Christmas and New Year’s, this number was particularly high, with 316 people killed in alchol-impaired driving crashes. In 2007, 162,493 women were arrested for a DUI, an increase of almost 29% since 1998. You can’t help but wonder if lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel. With the holidays approaching, it’s important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows…it could save a life.
Please listen to Emily’s story below about how Buzzed Driving changed her life. Watch her video and share this information with all your friends and family.
Be a part of: We Don’t Serve Teens
Supervised Underage Drinking is Illegal
Click on video. Watch, listen, learn and pass on!
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Driving Drunk, Drunk Driving, parenting advice, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: We Don’t Serve Teens!
by Sue Scheff on Dec 30, 2009
Did you know?
Most teens report that alcohol is easy to get – including 64 percent of eighth graders, 81 percent of sophomores, and 92 percent of seniors.
Did you know?
Since laws established 21 as the minimum drinking age, the likelihood that a 15 – to 20-year-old driver will be involved in a fatal crash has dropped by more than half.
We Don’t Serve Teens is about educating you (parents and adults) with real life stories of what can happen when adults permit teens to drink alcohol. The legal drinking age is 21 years old, there are no exceptions.
Most teens who drink get alcohol from “social sources” – at parties, from older friends, from their parents’ cabinets. Teen drinking is linked to injury and risky behavior. We can reduce teen drinking by stopping teens’ easy access to alcohol. Help us achieve this goal. – Source: We Don’t Serve Teens
As New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, be an educated parent - don’t allow teenage drinking! Teens New Year – get some tips for helping them bring in the New Year with fun and safety!
Also on Examiner.
Tags: Drunk Driving, Parenting, parenting advice, Sue Scheff, Teen Drinking, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Twitter Being Used as a Tool To Shame Drunk Drivers
by Sue Scheff on Dec 24, 2009
One county in the United States is taking drunk driving to Twitter. During the holiday season, drunk driving numbers increase.
A drunk-driving arrest can costs thousands of dollars and maybe your job, but in one local county it could cost you public humiliation, too. Montgomery County (TX) District Attorney has an active Twitter site, and he says he’ll be “Twittering” names and arrest information of DWI suspects according to MyFoxHouston.
“There is definitely a deterrent effect in the potential public humiliation people may face when they get arrested for DWI,” said Warren Diepraam, an assistant district attorney.
Of course this comes with controversy. MyFoxHouston continues:
Tyler Flood is one of Houston’s top DWI defense attorneys and thinks only the names of those convicted should be posted.
“Here is another form of punishment, if you are arrested for DWI, the problem is it’s a punishment. That is something that comes after a conviction, not before,” said Flood.
During this holiday season and always, remember drunk driving kills. It is also a great reminder that Buzzed Driving kills the same way! Don’t drink and drive – it is that simple.
Watch the video for more information. Feel free to leave your comments.
Also on Examiner.
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Driving Drunk, Drunk Driving, Substance Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teens Drinking
Sue Scheff: Buzzed Driving – Drunk Driving
by Sue Scheff on Dec 07, 2009
What an important message for this time of the year, and truly, all year round. Take the time to be an educated parent, have safer teens and potentially save a life.
Did you know that in 2008, nearly 12,000 drivers or motorcycle riders died in alcohol-related crashes? That’s one person every 40 minutes. Many people are under the misconception that you would have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Last year alone, during the winter holiday season, 420 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. You can’t help but wonder if those lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel.
With the holidays approaching, it’s important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows, it could save a life.
The National Highway Safety and Traffic Association (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their efforts with their PSA campaign called “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” The buzzed driver is one who drinks and drives, but does not consider himself a hazard on the roadway because “only a few” drinks are consumed. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
During the holiday season help keep “buzzed” drivers off the road. Learn about the dangers of buzzed driving, share a story or experience you might have had with buzzed driving and follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/buzzeddriving) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/buzzeddrivingisdrunkdriving) to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA.
You can also visit the website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/) where readers can sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game to help them understand how drinking can impair driving, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.
WATCH 30 SECOND PSA VIDEO – CLICK HERE.
Be an educated parent – have a safer teen and holiday season.
Also on Examiner.com
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Drunk Driving, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Drinking, Teen Drivers, Teen Help, Teen substance abuse
Sue Scheff: Texting While Driving -Cell Phone Safety
by Sue Scheff on Dec 07, 2009
Recently I was contacted by WebSafety to share some valuable and priceless information to help you keep your teens safe while driving.
WebSafety has developed a software that alerts parents before danger happens (if children are contacted by someone they don’t know [they say 700,000 predators are online everyday grooming kids, trying to find their next victims] and if your child receives ‘LMIRL’ = let’s meet in real life, you’ll get alerted in real time, if they’re being cyber bullied, stalked, or being asked to send nude pics [AKA ‘sexting’ which becomes child pornography once trafficked from friend to friend.]
With the news of the recent 13 year old suicide of Hope Witsell in Florida, which is releated to sexting and bullying, it is imperative parents keep 10 steps ahead of their kids and teens technically.
Zig Ziglar Agrees to Market Blindspot Alert`s Two Products, WebSafetyPC and CellSafety
DALLAS–(Business Wire)–Blindspot Alert, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTCBB:BSAL), a developer and marketer of software that makes cell phone usage and the Internet safer for families, today announced the association of Zig Ziglar and Ziglar, Inc. to support and promote the marketing of the Company`s two products: WebSafetyPC and CellSafety.
“My life and career have been spent in service to family values,” Zig Ziglar said from his home in Dallas, Texas, “and like many parents and grandparents, I’ve wondered how we can better protect our children from predator invasions over the Internet. Likewise, texting while driving has become a major risk for teenage drivers, increasing the likelihood of having an accident by as much as 23 times. When our family reviewed the WebSafetyPC and CellSafety products, we knew we wanted it; and we want everyone we care about to have it, too.”
President of Ziglar, Inc., Tom Ziglar says, “This really is a remarkable technology, and one that every family with a computer in their home or a person who drives while using a cell phone should have.”
The Company`s President Clifton Jolley says, “Having Zig as a proponent of the WebSafetyPC and CellSafety products is gratifying. Together we are committed to protecting children from Internet predators and from the risks associated with cell phones and driving. Like many of us, the Ziglar family has worried over the risks posed by these technologies; but until we developed the technology, Internet and cell phone usage has been a frustrating task for most parents. WebSafetyPC and CellSafety create a safety net to keep kids and adults from falling into bad habits such as texting while driving and from being contacted by cyberbullies and predators.
The Company`s two main products are:
CellSafety all but eliminates the risk of texting while driving by turning off
the texting feature at a predetermined speed. Parents also have the ability to
create “test-free zones,” such as schools, where cheating by texting is an
increasing problem. “Another great feature,” Tom Ziglar says, “is the FindMe
feature that lets me find my cell-phone-enabled children.”
WebSafetyPC provides many of the features available on CellSafety phones such as alerts for cyber bullying, sexting, and predator alerts. The president of Mothers Against Predators says of her experience, “The predator who attacked my daughter didn`t come in through a window…he came in through my computer.”
WebSafetyPC and CellSafety provide the following features as demonstrated by these two charts:
https://www.mywebsafety.com/Shared/WebSafetyProductComparisonv.1.4.pdf
https://www.mywebsafety.com/Shared/CellSafetyProductComparisonv.1.4.pdf
National Press:
http://www.mywebsafety.com/Site/video.asp?isv=3&Pin=48238&SN=ChildSafety
For more info, please see:
http://www.MyWebSafety.com/ChildSafety
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Cyber Safety, Internet Predators, Internet Safety, Parenting Teens, Sexting, Sue Scheff, Teen Driving, Teen Help
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