Study: monitoring device can lead to safer teen drivers

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Many parents worry about their teens on the road. A new study shows there is something we can do to help kids take fewer risks.

**Monitoring Devices for young drivers:**

-**Basic systems:** Electronic onboard diagnostics recorder to store trip information for downloading later. - **GPS-based systems:** Store data on vehicle location, speed, and direction. Real-time systems automatically can call, email, or text alerts to parents about their teenagers' driving performance. - **Video Systems:** Camera system mounted below the rearview mirror; captures sound inside a vehicle and views of the interior and of the road ahead. - **Smart keys:** Computer-coded key allows parents to limit maximum speed to 80 mph. A sound chimes and stereo volume mutes if belts aren't buckled. Parents can specify alerts when teens reach 45, 55, or 65 mph. Parents also can specify limits on maximum stereo volume.

Monitors in your children's car may help them buckle up, slow down and, in general, be safer on the roads. Moises Fargos has never had a monitoring device put in his car and doesn't really like the idea of it. He said, "Kind of gets you a little nervous, knowing that if you go fast, you'll get in trouble with your parents or maybe the law."

In a new Teen Safe driving study, cars driven by teens were fitted with monitors. If the driver didn't buckle up, they're were warned with a beep. They were also warned if they hit the brakes too hard or drove too fast. All the information was all recorded on a GPS tracker and e-mailed back to parents.

**Utah's Young Driver Summary**

To get a learners license you must:
Have a minimum age of:	15
Before getting a license or restricted license you must:
Have a mandatory holding period of:	6 months
Have a minimum supervised driving time of:	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Have a minimum age of:	16
Restrictions during intermediate or restricted license stage:
Nighttime restrictions:	midnight-5 am
Passenger restrictions:	first 6 months—no passengers
Minimum age at which restrictions may be lifted:
Nighttime restrictions:	17
Passenger restrictions:	16, 6 months

That's what Fargos doesn't like about it. He said, "Yeah, cause I know that my dad would take away my car keys, you know, if I drove over, above the speed limit." Another student said he'd drive safer, too. Michael Hinderaker said, "Yeah, if they were actually monitoring it, yes."

That's the findings from a survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety: monitoring devices do deter bad driving but only if parents check the e-mails.

Teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash then older drivers; that's 4,300 deaths every year.

Moises said he was already a safe driver compared to some of his friends, but he also admitted if his parents were monitoring his driving, he'd change. He said, Definitely would probably make me drive safer."

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Story compiled with contributions from Amanda Butterfield and Andrew Adams.