Tag: July20

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At some point, your teenager will ask for the keys to your car

Young beautiful black teenage driver holding car keys driving her new car

Many people move to Parkland and other area communities for their “A” rated schools, sprawling parks, and small-town community feel. Our towns are bustling with children. Over time, however, those children grow up and become teenagers. At some point, your teenager will ask for the keys to your car. At that time, you are faced with a decision: Do you trust that your baby girl is responsible enough to drive?

As anyone with a teenage driver knows, auto insurance for teenage drivers is extremely high. Like eye-popping, pull your hair out, scream to the mountain tops high! Ever wonder why there is such a HUGE increase in your premiums when your son or daughter turns 16?

Auto insurance carriers are in the business of accounting for risk. Their premiums are not arbitrarily pulled out of thin air. Teenage drivers are inexperienced and are more prone to make bad decisions. According to the CDC, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher amongst teens than any other age group.

According to AAA, about 72 percent of teen drivers admitted to engaging in one of the following risky behaviors in the past 30 days:

• Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47%)

• Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)

• Texting (35%)
• Red light running (32%) • Aggressive driving (31%) • Drowsy driving (25%)

These are the risky behaviors teenage drivers ADMITTED to. Expect that these percentages are significantly higher.

As a personal injury attorney, I can attest to the fact that teenage drivers are more likely than their parents to be involved in, not only a car accident, but a significant car accident. In many crash reports, teenage drivers admit to the police that they were texting or “distracted”. As a result, insurance companies simply do not want to insure your teenage driver – unless you pay through the nose.

To make matters worse, we are now in the heart of the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. According to AAA, more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

What can you do to protect your teen driver?

AAA advises that parents talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This advice seems obvious and trite; however, we are in 2020 – there is an app for everything! Here are a few apps that can monitor your teenage driver’s activity:

• Life360: Through this tracking app you can share your real- time location with one another no matter where you are.

• True Motion Family: Tells you when your teenage driver is using their phone behind the wheel and allows you to monitor their driving habits.

• Driver Mode (i.e. AT&T Drive Mode): Driver mode turns on when the car is moving. This feature silences and automatically replies to text message notifications.

• Bouncie: Notifies parents when their teenager is speeding or braking abruptly.

• Lifesaver: Uses a carrot instead of a stick, awarding points to teen drivers when they drive without their phone.

• Autobrain: Plugs into a diagnostic port of your car and can report if your teenager speeds, goes to the wrong place, or has an accident.

• Safe Driver: Monitors the location and driving speed of your teenage driver. You can also set speed limits which alerts your phone.

Teenage driving is inevitable, but there are things we can do as parents to keep them safe. Please impress upon your teenager the dangers of driving – especially through Labor Day. These apps will not only allow your teenage driver to be accountable for their actions but will afford you some control over their actions. As an added bonus, a safer driver will (over time) lower your car insurance premiums.

Philip Snyder is a partner in the Delray Beach law firm Lyons Snyder Collins

 

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Twin protests in Parkland

On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, two peaceful protests were held at the corners of Holmberg and Pine Island road.  

On the MSD side of the street, Black Lives Matter/Change the Ref protesters were calling for justice, with chants including “Breonna Taylor, say her name”, “George Floyd say his name”, along with “Black Lives Matter”. 

On the other side of the street, a “Back the Blue” Rally was being held.  With many waving US flags, along with many “thin blue line” flags, and chants of “All lives matter”.  A golf cart drove up, blasting the COPS theme song.

The two sides faced each other for a while, until the planned march for the Black Lives Matter event started up Pine Island Road.

Both sides were very enthusiastic, with many residents driving by honking to show support, though it was tough to tell if they were supporting one or the other rally.  

One mom and her toddler were holding a sign saying – “I can back the blue and want equal justice for ALL.”

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SPORTS SPRINGS ETERNAL

By Nelson Dacier, author of The March to Madness

 

The term “Sports” can be defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others according to a specific set of guidelines or rules. In addition, some commonplace synonyms for the word “Sports” include amusement, diversion, frolic, pleasure and recreation. It is in this fundamental form, rather than the former, that I will be discussing. 

The world was shaken several months ago by the Covid-19 crisis, and initially, it was quite difficult to grasp the widespread impact that the virus would have on all our lives. My first thought went to the safety and security of my family and friends and what the correct course of action would be to protect those closest to me. Then, during a phone call with my twenty-year-old son, who is currently attending a prestigious West Coast university, he said eight words that would alter my world forevermore, “What are we going to do without sports?” 

It had never occurred to me that I would live an extended era of my existence sans sports. Sure, there had been spans and stretches when strikes subverted seasons or incidents of inclement weather deferred and delayed performances for some brief period of time, but nothing had ever eradicated all events and shut down all sports, both professional and amateur, across the globe. I felt as if I had lost an intrinsic part of my essence.

Previously, on plenty of occasions, I would find myself sitting and channel surfing for something worthwhile to watch on TV, and, lo and behold, when all else failed, there was always a game to gaze upon. It was my father who invariably advocated for the action and uncertainty of any given sporting event over the predictable and typical inane sitcom, soap opera or dramatic series. “I never know the ultimate outcome of a sporting contest in advance,” he barked, continuing, “but I can surely submit the scenario of any given popular program that is presently on the air.” Thankfully, the reappearance of sports is on the horizon. 

Oh how I long for the camaraderie of crashing on the couch with my cohorts as we relish the comeback of competitive contests. Whether it is the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB or even perhaps the PGA, ATP or collegiate challenges, I can assure you that hordes of fans will once again be reminiscing in their resourceful recliners. You may ask, “Why are sports so intertwined with today’s society as a whole?” Perhaps it is the hope, promise, and escape that sports allow us to achieve, if only for a few fleeting hours a day or a week. And while most of us are athletic supporters rather than actual athletes, the feeling of community, the sense of association, and the authentic bonding with our brethren will once again be proud and prevalent. 

We lost several significant happenings over the many past months including my personal favorite the NCAA Men’s Collegiate Basketball Tournament, more affectionately known as “March Madness” or “The Big Dance.” There was no madness in March. Nor were there any decisive dances or celebratory ceremonies. The arenas were empty, the stadiums were silent and our hearts were left hungry and hankering for seasons more satisfying. 

And now the debate rages on regarding how, when, and where a return to regulation will occur. But does it really matter? I think not. What truly matters in the long run is that the games regenerate, that hope once again springs eternal, and that we can all get back to our cozy confines and the cheers of competition. 

 

LONG LIVE SPORTS!!! 

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