JimH,
We have always purchased the kids a cell phone when they turned 15. This
just happened to match up with when they started to date or go out with
friends who have a car. They think it is the best thing since sliced bread,
and my wife and I love being able to get in touch with them whenever we
want. The new family plans make it reasonable.


" JimH" wrote in message
...

"Lord Reginald Smithers" Ask me about my driveway leading up to my
manor. wrote in message
. ..
Our youngest daughter will be turning 16 in Jan. My wife wants to give
her a GPS unit for the car. My wife's logic is she would be a safer
driver, if she didn't knew where she was going, and was not looking for
street names and addresses.

It seems to me that another electronic toy in the car is just another
thing to distract her from watching the road.

Does anyone have any experience with GPS and teenagers?

and

Most importantly, does anyone have any experience buying a handheld unit
that has both maps for city driving and nautical charts?




I agree with all the advice Doug has offered.

We had a rule with our kids just after they got their license..........no
more than one friend in the car at any time. Statistics show that the
frequency of accidents increases when a new driver has more than one
friend in the car. The more kids in the car.........the more
distractions.

Our other rule was no talking on the cell phone when driving.

Speaking of cell phones.....you may want to consider getting her one if
she does not already have one. If she has her own car a membership to AAA
is also a good idea.

Regarding insurance premiums for boys vs. girls..........our experience is
that the premium is *much* higher on boys than girls.