Webcam on Board, Teen Drivers on Alert

North Carolina mother is charged with assault with a deadly weapon

(NEWSER) - Two young sisters have told police that their mom intended to hurt them in a deliberate car wreck because she was "mad at daddy," according to investigators. The girls, ages 7 and 8, were treated for cuts and bruises after mom Teresa Caffrey of North Carolina drove their car into a ditch earlier this week. "The children conveyed information to my officers saying she had been arguing with their father and that she was 'mad at daddy' and that's why she wrecked the car," said the local police commander. Caffrey has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and faces additional charges of child abuse and possession of a controlled substance. The girls have been placed with an aunt and grandmother, reports ABC News . More»

(NEWSER) - A horrifying car crash video graphically highlighting the gory dangers of texting behind the wheel has been viewed some 4 million times online. But experts doubt that it will significantly change teen driver behavior, reports the New York Times. The video-gone-viral has been the buzz of schools since it was produced by Welsh officials following teen advice to make it super dramatic. But the screams, dead baby and bloodied faces may not be having an impact. More»

(NEWSER) - It’s easy to condemn Diane Schuler—the mom who drove drunk and stoned the wrong way on a highway and killed herself, four children, and three others—writes Susan Cheever on Salon. But “for those of us who have ever driven a car after having a few beers, and for mothers who have driven in cars with too many small children, the story is more complicated." The real evil is alcoholism, writes Cheever, herself a former alcoholic, and judging one person won’t help a bit. More»

(NEWSER) - It's time to stop treating underage drinking like a joke—5,000 deaths and 100,000 sexual assaults a year should make that clear—and give states the freedom to get creative with their laws, writes John McCardell in the Atlantic. The federal age-21 restriction only pushes the drinking underground and makes it more dangerous, he contends, so why not try allowing states to opt out without penalty? Some alternatives: More»

New online tools to monitor lunches, grades, attendance

(NEWSER) - Parents are taking advantage of new web tools to monitor their children’s activities at school, the Los Angeles Times reports. A California program set to debut next year will allow doting parents to keep an eye on what kids buy for lunch, and let school officials know about food allergies and other restrictions. But some think the innovation may hinder childrens' independence. More»