TheBuzz
TheBuzz
How am I driving?
E-mail my mom'Grade My Driving" is a new program devised by Kailua chiropractor Rand Pellegrino and two friends to improve teenage driving and parent/child communication while raising funds for a nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth.
With cameras at the ready to generate traffic tickets for all -- as well as revenue for a government contractor and the state -- this is a concept in search of support from parents, teens and local businesses.
Parents concerned about their teens driving go to a Web site at www.your-kids.com and register, for a fee.
"Thirty dollars is a lot for a bumper sticker," Pellegrino said. "But the fee is for the monitoring."
The bright yellow and black bumper sticker, designed by the Williams' daughter Wendy, is encoded with a unique number and directs the observer to a Web site where the sticker-bearing driver can be graded.
Using a system designed to avoid malicious reporting, the "grade" is e-mailed to Your-Kids.com and then forwarded to the parent of the driver.
"Hopefully it doesn't turn into a 'rat-them-out' (situation)," Pellegrino said. He hopes positive comments are e-mailed as well and that parents will reward young drivers for good reports with additional use of the car.
"I know that insurance rates alone are astronomically high, especially for teenagers and their parents," Pellegrino said. "If we can decrease the risk and increase the safety on our roads, we're taking a positive step for our communities, families and children."
Registrants will receive a sticker and packets containing a certificate for a free duplicate key from Aloha Key on Cooke Street, while other discounts and offers are being sought by Pellegrino and fellow organizers Carol and John Williams of Kailua.
"The packet will also include things for them to talk with their kids about, like good driving practices," said Carol Williams. "We're hoping that it'll open up good conversations."
Does it take a village to raise a child and a better driver?
"In the village everybody knew the kids and all helped," Pellegrino said. "It was an augmentation to a strong family, it wasn't a replacement -- too many people have seen 'the village' as a replacement."
"It takes a family to raise a healthy kid, and the village can add to it," Pellegrino said.
A portion of the Grade My Driving registration proceeds will be donated to Breakthroughs for Youth At Risk, a nonprofit serving West Oahu youth. Other funds will go back into Grade My Driving for special programs.
The first "Grade My Driving" bumper sticker can be seen on Pellegrino's vintage Ferrari.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com