Many parents worry when their teens start to drive.
Distracted driving, inexperience and simple carelessness are all reasons for
parents to be concerned. The added distraction of a cellphone and all its
available functions bring even more reasons to worry.
While it would be great if parents could keep a watchful eye
every time a teenager is behind the wheel, it’s just not possible. In this age
of technology, can parents have more peace of mind when their newly licensed
teenage driver is on the road?
“Parents can make use of vehicle monitoring devices,” says
Chris Kersting, president and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association
(SEMA). The trade association represents the $33 billion automotive specialty
equipment industry that includes thousands of products that are available to
enhance a vehicle’s styling, performance, comfort and convenience. “These
devices can help relieve some parents’ anxieties about their teen driver and
can even improve teen driving habits.”
Here are some devices to consider for anyone who wants to
keep tabs on teenagers behind the wheel.
Bluetooth
While you don’t want your teen texting while driving, it’s
equally as important to make sure that he’s not talking with his phone glued to
his ear. A vehicle with Bluetooth capabilities will ensure a safer hands-free
experience – not to mention you can call him knowing he can answer you without
taking his hands off the wheel or his eyes off the road. Choices range from a
standalone universal Bluetooth kit, FM transmitters or a new Bluetooth-enabled
car stereo system.
GPS tracker
You can easily track a vehicle’s movement using a GPS
tracker. These handy devices can be mounted in any car, sometimes using only a
magnet, and will report back to your computer or smartphone. Advanced features
include alerts letting you know if your teenager is driving out of a
pre-designated area. Trackers typically require a monthly subscription service
fee.
Plug-in diagnostic port adapters
Plug-in diagnostic port adapters plug into your vehicle’s
onboard diagnostic port (OBDII). The OBDII connects to the car’s brain and when
accessed, can provide a plethora of information on how the car is being driven.
Every car sold after Jan. 1, 1996 was required to have an OBDII port, so most
vehicles on the road today include this port. Numerous plug-in adapters are
available to monitor driving habits and gather reports, including speed
monitoring, harsh braking, location displays and more. Most adapters also
require a service subscription in order to provide text or email alerts on
activities you wish to monitor.
Hardwired telematics systems
A hardwired vehicle tracking system eliminates the
possibility of your teenager finding and removing the diagnostic port adapter.
Hardwired systems also provide real-time information and can pinpoint locations
more accurately than a plug-in unit. These systems provide the same features
such as speed tracking and notifications when your teen exceeds speed
thresholds, and have built-in motion sensors to detect rapid acceleration or
rapid starts. When real-time information is important, a hardwired system,
while more costly and time consuming up-front, has real advantages.
Cellphone blockers
Some aftermarket products available today can actually block
cellphone usage when your teenager is driving, going a step beyond vehicle
tracking or telematics. These cellphone blockers can be configured to block
numerous phone capabilities, including texting while driving, taking photos and
using applications. It can even block all incoming and outgoing phone calls,
except from numbers you specify (i.e. mom and dad). Like a plug-in or hardwired
telematics system, cellphone blockers connect to the vehicle’s telematics
system. Along with blocking the most distracting functions of a phone,
cellphone blockers also monitor and report speeding, driving habits and provide
location identification.
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