Program Helps Parents Keep Track of Teen Drivers
Program Helps Parents Keep Track of Teen Drivers Save Email Print
Posted: 10:04 PM Jan 6, 2009
Last Updated: 10:48 PM Jan 6, 2009

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A new program can help you keep an eye on your teen driver. One man is hoping to save the lives of teens and others by giving an old idea some new life.

About a year ago, Greg Grob was taking a drive with his wife and kids when a close call created a concept.

He "got the idea after being cutoff by a -- from what I found out after -- a young teenage driver."

He was so bothered by what happened he started Hotfoot, his new company which lets parents put a bumper sticker with an I.D. number on the bumper of their car.

"They've always had the semi truck drivers stickers on the back of the trailers about, "How's my driving? Contact this number."

Grob says all you have to do is register and pay a fee on the Hotfoot website. You put the I.D. sticker on your car, and if anyone sees your teen driver acting up, they can call, enter the bumper sticker number and you get an e-mail or text message, letting you know what happened and where your teen is.

"We wanted to come up with something that was so inexpensive that the financial thought to -- if I should get this or not for my child -- would hopefully not even come into play."

Grob says this new business isn't all about making money. He wants to help his cousin's daughter who has epilepsy.

"We are trying to help ease their financial situation if possible. We are donating a good portion of the parent's monthly fees."

Grob says he remembers being a teen and says if he would have had an I.D. sticker he may have thought twice about his driving.

"I'm hoping that the decal acts as a deterrent. I have one on the back of my car. I've had one for a couple of months now."

If you would like more information about the program, just click on links at the top of the page.

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Posted by: Rob Location: Michigan on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Thats a great idea wish I would of thought about it another Idea I saw is puting tracking devices on there cars I saw it it on another website http://www.bluewatersecurityprofessionals.com Im so glad other people are thinking about how to make the road safer for everyone heck I think everyone should have a sticker I think it might keep everyone more consitorate if they know someones watching them. Good Job

Posted by: Larry Location: Eau Claire on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:28 PM
It is mandatory in a few countries. Australia being one. It has made a great difference in the amouunt of accidents caused by teens or new drivers. The plates on any vehicle a teen drives there must display a "P" (probationary) plate. It does make them think about bad driving choices and the penalties are much stiffer including loss of drivers license. This also fares easier on parents who end up paying the fines.

Posted by: YourWrong Location: ec on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:28 PM
i actually think its a good idea. if teen drivers know that its on their car, they will be less likely to drive crazy, and if they do they will be properly reprimanded. business opportunity or not, its not a bad idea, im glad someone thought of it before me otherwise i would have done it.

Posted by: bill Location: rice lake on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:41 PM
i disagree. have you been to his website. parents will get notified if they do something dumb. it's our job as parents to take care of our children, not the police. and too bad for some parents who wished they would have know what their child were up to before it was too late. you must not have children!!! GREAT IDEA

Posted by: Insurance Guy Location: USA on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:01 PM
After getting a report, where's the training, the support network? Is this all about discipline and tattle tale (he said/she said) arguments? Not sure this will actually make a difference. Don't get me wrong, I hope it could help, but there have never been any studies done on "how's my teen driving" programs that show any accident reduction result. The commercial programs include driver training with each report, support networks, and a much lower annual fee. The commercial programs also depend on a manager to coach/counsel/train each affected driver -- is mom and dad a driver's ed instructor in their spare time? Lotsa loop holes with the program as described -- why not just subscribe to an established commercial service to save money and get full program? Hmmm.

Posted by: Mike Location: Rice Lake on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:20 AM
what a crazy idea.I see no valuable constructive/reinforcement info here..Just a business opportunity for someone..