While teens in New Jersey are only of 6% of licensed drivers in the state, they account for 13% of all crashes, according to the NJ division of highway traffic safety. And, teens are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those over the age of 20.
New car technology may help teens drive more safely. Car companies have been rolling out advanced (teen) driver technologies that help to reduce driving distractions, issue driving alerts and more. Here are some of the newest teen driver technology that car manufacturers are offering, and what they do:
- Speed Warnings: This feature notifies the driver as they approach top speeds and remind them when they’re traveling at very low speeds.
- Speed Limiters: Prevent drivers from going over certain speeds.
- Advanced Safety System Features
- Forward Collision Alerts: Automatically applies the brakes if an accident is imminent and a driver hasn’t already done so.
- Lane Departure Warnings: Alert a driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane (unless they have already put their blinker on).
- Back-up cameras: Warns drivers when they get close to an object while backing up and provides parking aid lines.
- Parking Assistance: Helps steer a car into a parallel or perpendicular parking space.
- Volume Limitations: Allows parents to limit the volume of the audio system. Some cars do not allow the radio to be turned on unless the driver buckled in.
- General Motors Family Link: GM paired with OnStar offers a tracking feature on the car driven by a teenager and sends a text message to the parents if it’s driven outside a stipulated area.
- Chevy Malibu’s Teen Driver Report Cards: Delivers information on distance traveled, highest speed reached, number of exceptions to speed parameters, and triggers to standard safety features such as anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Some vehicles will even document triggers to the vehicle’s optional advanced safety system features.
Driver technology is not only for young teen drivers. Many adults are also using these technologies to monitor their senior parents’ driving habits, which may help senior drivers be safer on the road.
New technology isn’t the only way to help teens be safer behind the wheel. Consider taking a state-approved defensive driving course with your teen to help them develop safe driving habits. The course may also help you save money on car insurance.
