New App Lets You Judge Teen Driving: Helpful or Harmful?

by SodaHead Tech Posted 2012/08/20 01:30:36

Related Topics: Teen Driving, Florida, App, Smartphones, Texting

224 votes
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	Helpful	133 votes	59%
	Harmful	91 votes	41%

You’ve seen the bumper stickers on the back of semis asking, “How’s My Driving?” Now, a new smartphone app applies this concept to teen drivers, allowing users to send in their feedback. But critics worry that it will encourage the dangerous practice of texting behind the wheel.

Howismykiddriving.co is the brainchild of Florida dad Michael McManigal. For $15 ($10 in subsequent years), parents can register the license plate number of their child’s car on the website. Members then receive two bumper stickers that read: “How is my KID driving? Push Text my tag #.” Drivers who have the free Push Text app downloaded on their smartphones can then send in their thoughts via a one-way anonymous text.

Since its launch a month ago, the app has received both praise and criticism. "Part of me likes the idea. Maybe it will make kids think before they drive aggressively or distracted," said Edith Peters, traffic safety specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation. "I would like it better if it had a warning at the bottom discouraging texting and driving."

McManigal is taking this criticism to heart and is going to add a warning to his next batch of stickers.

So SodaHeads, what do you think about this new app? Is it helpful or harmful?

Add a comment above

JenSemPa 2012/08/20 12:21:27

Harmful

+6
... and the over-reliance on gadgets at the expense of personal responsibility continues.

And yes, I agree that this would only encouage more texting-while-driving.
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Margaret Jacobson 2012/10/01 05:01:49

Helpful

How can it hurt ?? Maybe they can get heir friends to approve their driving ??

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S123 to Margare... 2012/10/01 15:48:54 (edited)

In the question, it says it could encourage texting while driving.

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Cricket 2012/10/01 02:47:29

Helpful

In the long run, this should be very helpful.

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Crische 2012/08/22 17:20:20

Harmful

Get off your phone, watch the road. Just because there are limited speeds doesn't mean you don't have to pay attention and driving is easy. It's called defensive driving, people are crazy, watch out.

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Glitchie 2012/08/22 07:31:25

Harmful

If it encourages texting while driving it is more harm than good.

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sarah 2012/08/21 23:20:30 (edited)

Harmful

I think the father who created this has major trust issues. I feel bad for his kid who probably thought their dad was trusting them with their car or his own, when in reality.he went behind their back and created a whole app allowing parents to spy not "check up" on their kids' driving. I mean come on, if the DMV can trust them why can't you? I'm in my later teen years and it seems really sketchy having random people watch me driving and then reporting back my parents.Also how do you have a driving app that involves texting, and have it be safe ?

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beckylee 2012/08/21 21:18:09

Harmful

There's something seriously wrong with you If you need an app to tell you if your Teen is driving well

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Madi 2012/08/21 18:39:11
laurenboelsche 2012/08/21 16:59:15

Harmful

I wouldn't want strangers watching my daughter and texting me about it. Also I don't think people are responsible enough to handle this lol You'd get all sorts of crazy crap, everything except how your kid is doing.

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Cuthbert Allsgood 2012/08/21 16:41:59

Harmful

It's a good idea with bad implementation. Teens do present a bit of a threat behind the wheel only because of their inexperience - this will correct itself over time. People who use there phone while driving present a very real threat simply because of distraction - this only seems to correct itself via accidents.

Now if people would be so wise as to simply remember a number and then send the text after parking this could be a great idea, not just for teens, but for drivers in general.

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Fredrick House 2012/08/21 16:38:46

Helpful

And while we are at it, put an App in the cell phone that sends the GPS location and phone ID of anyone who is texting and driving to a databank. It is high time this dangerous outrage was stopped without any recourse or excuse. Seize the phone and the car.

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Beccy 2012/08/21 15:58:54

Helpful

At least you now have something to show them why they can't drive the family car

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MissTypist 2012/08/21 11:36:14

Harmful

Wouldn't that increase the use of mobile phones whilst driving? *face-palm*

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Mikey 2012/08/21 10:46:12

Harmful

+1
if you are texting about my kid from this app, how is YOUR drivIng?

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Aleksandr 2012/08/21 09:57:37

Helpful

Population control........ Using their cell phones while driving!

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Karl 2012/08/21 08:47:08

Harmful

Neither, really. On the one hand, some of my friends probably could stand to be kept in check. On the other, how do you know if people are going to be completely honest? Plus, it just sounds like helicopter parenting.

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Anna 2012/08/21 03:32:27

Harmful

+2
For goodness sake, put down the phone for 3 minutes and actually pay attention to your kid!

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Merlin 2012/08/21 02:12:02

Harmful

How dumb is that? Honestly... you should know how the kid's driving by driving with them. If with a license, you'll figure out by a cop if they're doing good or not.
Makes me just think of a creepy thing... if you're given the possibility of seeing someone's license plate online. Anyone else, or is it just me? lol

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DanOman 2012/08/20 23:06:26

Helpful

I got one that just got his license and hell yes its a good thing..

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scbluesman13 2012/08/20 22:41:49

Helpful

If you need an app to help you judge teen driving, then you definitely need some help... In a lot of things... LOL.

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GoatHorns 2012/08/20 22:02:45 (edited)

Helpful

+2
better that everyday drivers correct their errors, rather than the police

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Kigan 2012/08/20 21:58:34

Harmful

+1
You either have to text while driving or find a way to remember the tag number until you get to wherever you are going. It encourages "distracted driving".

Of course, this also plays into the "teenagers can't drive" bit. I remember a story my mother told me - as a teenager, she was pulled over and rewarded for being a good driver. Apparently they looked for teens who were good drivers and chose to reward them rather than assuming teens can't drive and coming up with things like this.

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WhereIsAmerica? ~PWCM~JLA 2012/08/20 21:55:33

Harmful

Texting and driving is dangerous.

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DP 2012/08/20 21:37:56

Harmful

People don't need to be texting while driving. I'd be okay if it were only the driver that would get killed, but it usually isn't. Others' lives are put at stake because you're an insufferable prat.

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Depp30UK 2012/08/20 20:11:56

Helpful

It makes a good deterrent, and if there is an accident the other driver can report it to the parents who will probably want to know where the dent came from.

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intolerantrwj 2012/08/20 19:13:51

Harmful

...... and now you know why I refuse to buy General Motors ..... you can't disable ' OnStar '

............. the road to Taxation via GPS.

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Jim Morrison 2012/08/20 19:03:05

Harmful

Big brother watching has little impact compared to instruction beyond " here's the blinker." Have instructed teens in precision driving (skid pad, two wheels off, etc) for 10 years. Driving much like learning music or sport. Muscle memory critical. Ex: Drivers need to experience spin out in controlled environment before having to react in real world emergency. Too many parents flipping teens the keys for convenience factor with little or no training.

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FatherLiberty 2012/08/20 18:57:25

Harmful

Harmful to the concepts of freedom. Now parents are creating tracking and monitoring devises for their children? What, the government hasnt done enough of that already?

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Lerro DeHazel 2012/08/20 18:38:49

Harmful

+1
Actually the gal behind the wheel looks a lot like my sister-in-law.

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Simply Dana :) 2012/08/20 17:29:14

Harmful

Im screwed....

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Jenn 2012/08/20 16:58:21

Helpful

+1
..... teenage drivers scare me sometimes......

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Depp30UK to Jenn 2012/08/20 20:15:01

...older people scare me more sometimes, but who will monitor them. Case in point, my grandfather was driving to a store with me in the passenger seat. We drove the whole three blocks on a sidewalk. I am so not making this up!

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Jenn to Jenn 2012/08/20 22:06:57

I know what you mean, you would get wip lash if you rode with my memaws husband. My hubby says they should take away their DL, but I have to remind him if he was 80 or so he wouldnt give his up, lol

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Garciataria 2012/08/20 15:30:31

Harmful

As if I wasn't screwed enough!!!

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Anthony Souls 2012/08/20 15:01:13

Harmful

With mass communication data-banked such as this, comes power by which can only create a dictatorial society.
Take care,

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right-choice 2012/08/20 14:54:21

Harmful

Big brother control again, give an inch they take a mile and run with it.
Make it sound good so it can be used to watch and control what you think is happening.

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Madi 2012/08/20 14:37:52

Harmful

Neither really. It just seems stupid to me.

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Derek George V 2012/08/20 14:29:04

Helpful

i think it will help a lot

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rocker1446 2012/08/20 13:56:38

Harmful

+1
Harmful, only because other drivers would have to drive distractedly for a period unless they decide to pull over first.

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RachelA7X 2012/08/20 13:43:47

Helpful

It seems helpful

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