When a teen gets his or her license most parents get additional anxiety. With the number one killer of teens being car-related driving accidents, and 16-25 year old drivers being the number one age group ticketed by police for traffic violations, parents have good cause to feel anxious. Although the thought of a teen driver navigating the roadways alone can be worrisome for most parents, many have turned to technology to ease the stress.
GPS tracking systems allow parents to be proactive in modifying and shaping the driving behaviors of their teen, and actually help build trust between parent and teen. With a GPS vehicle tracking solution validating a teen is exhibiting responsible and cautious driving behaviors, many parents allow the teen to have MORE freedoms. Having the ability to always know where your teen is and has been provides a parent with assurance, security and relief.
GPS tracking systems can act as effective preventative mechanisms for many forms of negative driving behavior. Another positive impact that comes from using a GPS vehicle tracking solution is the additional freedoms and lowered insurance rates many teen drivers receive. When a teen driver receives additional freedom and parents receive the peace of knowing their teen is safe everybody wins.
When a teen knows that a GPS tracker is monitoring their every move they begin to drive more safely and build a foundation of safe driving habits that will last a lifetime!
Teens are known for having a reputation of being mistake-prone. This is simply part of the maturation process that involves riding a learning curve through a world filled with additional responsibilities and stresses. Although mistakes can present excellent learning opportunities for growth, driving mistakes can have lethal consequences for teen drivers and other motorists sharing the roadways. In an effort to improve road safety, should lawmakers require newly licensed teens to undergo mandatory GPS tracking if the teen driver receives a traffic citation or violation?
Teenage Driving & The Truth
What we know about teenage driving and is that motor vehicle accidents top the list of premature causes of death among young people. This means that parents, educators and mentors should be equally as concerned if not more concerned about safe driving habits than teen alcohol consumption and other risk-taking behaviors associated with teens. "Parents must understand that the most dangerous thing their teen could be doing is excessively speeding or operating a vehicle while being distracted", said a fleet management specialist for Tracking System Direct. "When a teen carelessly or recklessly operates a motor vehicle they significantly increase the likelihood of becoming involved in a traffic accident or collision. This is the primary reason why so many smart parents are choosing to use vehicle tracking technology for teen tracking applications."
Jacy's Story: How One Distracted Driver Took A Family
People always state that every moment spent with family and friends should be cherished because life is unpredictable and often times cruel. Sadly, nobody could say these words and express them with more meaning than a young woman by the name of Jacy Good who after her college graduation became involved in a horrific motor vehicle accident that instantly took the life of both her parents.
Good's graduation day was supposed to be one filled with joy and pride, but the day quickly turned tragic by the actions of one teenage driver who was sending a text message while he was driving his car. Busy fiddling with a mobile phone rather than paying attention to the road, a young teenage driver ran a red light, sparking off a series of events that would lead to catastrophe. As the teen rapidly try to correct the error he realized he made, a large truck behind him was forced to respond to the wild situation on the road, avoiding the teen's car but crashing directly into the Good family vehicle. Both of Good's parents were killed instantly, and Jacy was seriously wounded, spending months in the hospital and rehabilitation facilities where she still frequents as she attempts to recover from the physical and emotional damage all caused from one driver's poor decision.
GPS Tracker Alerts Parent Of Reckless Driving Behaviors
One of the most important moments for any teenager is the time they pass a behind-the-wheel driving exam and written test offered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), successfully acquiring a driver's license and the freedom that comes along with having one. Although having a license is a big step in the maturation process for teens, as it adds a layer of independence and new responsibility, it also results in additional worry for concerned parents. Parents undeniably understand the horrific statistics associated with teenage driving, and how motor vehicle crashes are the number one premature killer of young people. Driving is a difficult process on it's own right for many teens, but when alcohol is also thrown in the mix the equation can be almost certain disaster. Identifying whether or not a teen is intoxicated while operating a vehicle is nearly impossible for parents to do remotely, but real-time GPS tracker systems such as the SilverCloud GPS are helping parents monitor dangerous driving behaviors that are often associated with drinking and driving.
Drinking and driving is a serious problem that has plagued the United States for decades, but with organizations such as MADD and SADD shining the spotlight on the important topic, more awareness on the issue is occurring at both homes and schools. However, parents and educators cannot make an accurate estimate or determination of a teen is possibly engaging in alcohol consumption unless they understand the warning signs which include:
Anxiety and stress are two of the most common feelings for parents and teenagers when a teen is going through the process of becoming a licensed driver. Teenagers see all of the opportunity and freedom they will be provided if they are successful in passing the written and behind-the-wheel examinations, but also all the potential peer harassment and feeling of failure that may come if they fail a driver's test. From the parent's perspective, mothers and fathers can only think of the dangers associated with distracted teenage driving and excessive speeding, understanding that the main killer of teens is auto-related traffic accidents. Although the process of acquiring a driver's license can be challenging on the nerves for both the teen and the parent, there are a number of ways parents can help improve safe driving through conventional and technological methods.
The reason why conventional methods of improving teenage driving are still practiced to this day is because they have a track record of being practical and effective solutions. Experts understand that parents want to do everything in their power to protect their children, even when those children become teens and eventually teenage drivers. Although there are a lot of frightening statistics out there surrounding teenage driving and motor vehicle accidents, scientific studies have shown that parents are the key to improving safe driving techniques and practices. By setting a positive example of appropriate and responsible driving, having teens complete a parental driving agreement that clearly outlines what is okay and not okay to do while operating a vehicle, and taking the time to practice behind-the-wheel driving for at least 30-50 hours in a variety of driving conditions, parents can greatly increase the odds of a teen becoming a safe and responsible motorist.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is very clear when it states that driving a motor vehicle is not a right, but rather a privilege. With more teenagers feeling entitled now than ever before, it is difficult to relay this very important message to those teens preparing and studying to take their written and behind-the-wheel driving exams. Driving safety is something that is not only important to those operating a vehicle, but also every other person who shares the roadways. This is why the driving experts at the DMV require those wanting to receive a driver's license to show that they have a basic understanding of driving laws, and can operate a motor vehicle in a real world environment. Although most people tend to struggle with the written examinations more so than the behind-the-wheel exams, every once in awhile a driver will make some crucial errors during the driving exam. These things can include not checking driver-side and rear view mirrors, not keeping driving hands at the 10 and 2 positions and more. Although there are numerous things a driver can do (or not do) to lose points on their behind-the-wheel driving exam, sometimes a driver will intentionally make errors to get under their teacher's skin. That is what one teenager did, and captured on a hidden camerasurveillance device in the above video as part of a practical joke that our GPS tracking experts felt compelled to share with families who may have a teenager preparing for their test. Hopefully, the video will provide a short amount of comic relief to ease the tension that some kids have about driving and driving exams.
Teens are known for having a reputation of being mistake-prone. This is simply part of the maturation process that involves riding a learning curve through a world filled with additional responsibilities and stresses. Although mistakes can present excellent learning opportunities for growth, driving mistakes can have lethal consequences for teen drivers and other motorists sharing the roadways. In an effort to improve road safety, should lawmakers require newly licensed teens to undergo mandatory GPS tracking if the teen driver receives a traffic citation or violation?
