More Mother Rider's Rules of the Road

Here's an evolving message that started out as one of those wacky 911 calls, progressed to a lesson on what not to do if you're in Texas driving drunk in your Ferrari and ultimately became a good excuse to review a couple of Mother R's more critical driving commandments: Don't Drive Drunk and Follow the Rules of Trains.

Just for fun, let's do this post in the form of an animated movie from the fabulous free make-your-own-movie site, Xtranormal.
Check it out...



Quite a story, eh? And as tempting as it is to judge this guy a total moron, but using language that wouldn't be appropriate for this cheery blog, to be fair he has apparently been through some tragic times recently and is suffering from severe depression. So let's show some compassion as we tell him kindly but quite sternly: "We're very sorry for your loss, but that is no excuse! Don't you ever do that again, mister!!"

And we won't ever do it either, will we? Of course not!

The Rider Method: a little extra help

Are you struggling a little with the cheery driving concept?

Could you use an 8 Step Program to help you live it every day?

You're not the only one!

So Mother R has created a podcast to help you get with the cheery program. Here you go...

Salubrious Driving: an 8 Step Program



You're welcome.

Because I said so, that's why!

And I'm not the only one...not even close. (Listen to the podcast)

Mother Rider is always glad for a good excuse to say I told you so, especially on one of her favorite lecture topics, so she was thrilled (and grateful) to find a link to these photos in an email (subject: WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT) from her friend Laura. Check it out...



Notice how the driver's seat remained remarkably intact in the midst of the mangled wreckage around it, and imagine how different the driver would have looked from that fellow we see casually checking his cell, without a seat belt holding him securely in that small refuge. OK, that's enough; I want you to buckle your safety belts, not to have nightmares! Quite a vivid demonstration, wouldn't you say?

Surely after looking at these photos you are not still thinking of lame excuses not to buckle up, are you? I doubt it, but just in case, let me share this link to snopes.com, where the ever popular what if I'm trapped in my seat belt and can't get out? argument is soundly debunked: Risk-O Inferno And by all means, get yourself one of those handy little hammer/slicer escape gadgets at any discount or auto parts store, or online at Amazon. You'll feel better.

Mother R is proud to see that seat belt use in America is creeping up (from 82% to 83% in 2008, according to the NHTSA's NOPUS), with a #1 performance by Michigan at 97.2% (you go, Michigan!) but she's still pretty mystified as to what the heck is wrong with the other 17% of you! Come on, folks, you know I keep saying that there is no reason for mandatory safety belt laws because we are smart enough to buckle up without being told, yet a few of you continue to make me look bad (never mind getting yourselves killed) by failing to buckle up. Now I want you to get with the program and get those numbers up to 100% for 2009. Do you hear me? Do I have to tell you again? Right, well I guess that's about enough harping for one day.

So I will leave you to enjoy a Happy Easter Sunday, with my thanks for your best and most salubrious driving behavior, and with special thanks to Laura and the anonymous individual who was so generous (and smart) as to assemble and send along this amazing testimony.

Happy trails and a cheery Rider wave to all!

One more way to spy on your teen drivers

Because you can't have too many, right?

This one is called Speed Demon, and you teens will be glad to hear that it shows particular sensitivity to your privacy concerns, because it was invented by Jon Fischer, one of your own who was inspired by the tragic death of a fellow teen in a high speed crash. His website (www.livefastdriveslow.com) shows his motivation in statistics that link excess speed to fatal accidents. Jon doesn't want you all to kill yourselves, but he appreciates that you don't want to be spied on, and has set up the Speed Demon so that won't happen as long as you don't speed. Clever, eh?

Here's how it works. Parents purchase the Speed Demon unit and program their acceptable parameters for speed, with variations for highway, city and country roads, or for time of day, then set up notification by email or text and install the unit in the teen's car. As long as you teens keep your speed under the limit, your location is your own business (not that we're saying you're going anyplace you shouldn't, mind you). Whenever you go over, your speed and location are reported.

There's a $15 monthly fee for the tracking service and the unit sells for $250, so it's a bit pricey, but we parents think you kids are worth every dime, don't we? So for you folks who are looking for another tool in your arsenal of ways to get your kids through their teenage years alive and well, check it out.