Teen Car Tracking still controversial

Teen car tracking is more needed than ever

Teen car tracking is not popular with teens, but according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US 3,023 teenagers aged 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2019. This represents an average of 10 teenagers losing their lives every day. More than 300,000 teens were injured. Teen car tracking can bring these numbers down. Drivers in the 16-22 year old age group are involved in more accidents and fatalities than all other age groups combined.

 

Even the best of kids find themselves in difficult situations, due to 3 main factors:

-Speed. Excessive speed is cited as the number one reason for teen accidents/fatalities. Teen car tracking can monitor this from the beginning, before it becomes fatal.
-Inexperience. Many teen drivers simply lack the core experience to successfully negotiate every traffic situation, weather condition, or bump in the road.
-Peer Pressure. Add one or more friends to the car and the distraction can prove fatal. Many teens feel social pressure to show off, speed, or perform dangerous acts behind the wheel to impress their peers.

 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that 60 percent of the teen deaths in 2011 happened with multiple teen passengers in the vehicle, and more than half of teen crashes occur at night.

 

In the contract with your teen driver, which makes clear that driving is not a right, but a privilege, you should exclude or at least limit the number of teen passengers in the car. Driving at night should be intensively exercised with a parent as supervisor in the car. Only when this satisfies you and a teen car tracking system has shown that your teen NEVER speeds, can he/she drive at night. A virtual fence (geofence) can often be programmed in a teen car tracking system, warning you when your teen wanders too far from his own neighborhood.

 

Teen drivers KNOW speeding or driving recklessly is hazardous and dangerous, but they do it any way. Peer pressure to do what is cool or risky overrides the voice of reason to do what is right and safe.

 

Within their own minds new teen drivers believe that they are GREAT drivers. However, good judgment, self-control and instinctive anticipation what to look out for only comes from many hours driving. It takes up to 18 months for a new teen driver to have sufficient experience behind the wheel and instinct driving.

 

The simple fact that they know that a teen car tracking device is monitoring their driving, makes them slow down and drive safer.

 

Teenager’s promises are generally well meaning and filled with good intentions, but sometimes they slip.

 

In the past thousands of teens have died at the wheel because of one simple factor: Their driving behavior was anonymous. Kids could drive any way they chose as long as their parents or law enforcement weren’t around. The bottom line in keeping our kids safe and reducing teen driving fatalities is parents knowing more about the driving behavior of their teen drivers.

 

A teen car tracking system is not an invasion of privacy and it is not a trust issue, it is about protecting your teen driver from misjudgments teens too often make when driving.

 

Teens worry about their vehicle being stolen, so a real-time GPS teen car tracking device, that also allows the recovery of a stolen car, is something they would like to have. And they might actually get a discount on the car insurance for young drivers if a teen car tracking device is installed in their vehicle.

Teen car tracking devices

There are several different teen car tracking devices. Some do not use GPS, but register data from the on-board car computer to show how the car has been driven. These are passive systems. Other passive systems use GPS and store data about location, speed and direction in an internal memory, that can be read-out at the end of the day or the end of the week. The big advantage is that you can investigate the results together with your teen driver.

 

Real-time teen car tracking devices send their data in real-time through a cellular network to a server, which allows the parents to track the car via the Internet, or send a message to the parents cell phone when, for instance, their teen driver is speeding. Other real-time teen car tracking systems use cell-phones with incorporated GPS chips. The advantage of real-time systems is that you can know at every moment where your teen driver is and what his/her speed and driving direction are.

Passive teen car tracking systems WITHOUT GPS

Davis brings the CarChip data logger, a small black box that plugs instantly into the On-board diagnostics OBDII connector in the car. The OBDII connector is found in the passenger compartment of all cars sold today, model-year 1996 or later, no more than three feet from the driver’s seat. The CarChip logs 75 hours of trip details, including time and date, distance, speed, idle time, hard accelerations and decelerations, and engine diagnostic trouble codes. CarChipE/X stores 300 hours of trip details. All the details of standard CarChip, plus an accident log and the ability to monitor any 4 out of 23 user-selectable engine parameters.

 

From Road Safety comes the RS-1000 teen car tracking device, a black box that is also plugged into the OBDII connector under the dashboard. Once the RS-1000 is properly installed, any time the vehicle is operating in an unsafe manner, such as driving at high speeds, performing high g-force maneuvers, failure to buckle up the seat belt, etc., the ‘black box’ gives the driver an audible warning alert. If the driver ignores the warning and fails to take corrective action, a steady tone will sound until the unsafe condition is stopped. All unsafe driving is recorded in the driver scoring reports available for review when the ‘black box’ data is downloaded to a PC computer.

 

The RS-1000 monitors vehicle speed, use of seatbelts, excessive g-force maneuvers caused by hard cornering, hard braking, erratic driving, ‘pedal-to-the-metal’ throttle use and unsafe backing. Seatbelt monitoring and unsafe backing require a hard-wire connection to the vehicle, which should be made by a qualified technician.

Passive teen car tracking systems WITH GPS

Alltrack USA has several teen car tracking devices. The iTrail GPS Data Logger stores up to 120 hours of travel information, such as speed, location, time spent at each location, travel routes, miles traveled and every stop over one minute. Data can be downloaded to a PC computer to view the data on a street-level map or printed out in a travel report. The Shadow Tracker Jr. records up to 300 hours of travel data, the Shadow Tracker Performer up to 600 hours and the Shadow Tracker Pro even up to 1200 hours.

 

The Enduro Pro GPS Tracking Unit records travel for weeks or even months. Non-volatile memory in this teen car tracking device saves information, even if batteries die. Data can be downloaded to mapping software (US maps included; specific maps of Canada, Europe and Latin America available upon request). The Protrack Scout teen car tracking device uses an internal motion detector to shut off the unit if the vehicle is vibration free for 5 minutes. Operates on 4 AA batteries and/or 12V vehicle power. 

 

Jonathan Fisher, 17, vice president of Speed-Demon, Inc. understood perfectly well the privacy concerns of young drivers. He developed a GPS teen car tracking device with some unique features. The device, mounted on a car's dashboard, records the car's speed and location and includes software that detects the type of road a driver is navigating, revealing whether speeding happened on a highway or more dangerous local back road. It has a red light that warns drivers when they are speeding, and a blue light that notifies parents when their child has broken the speed limit. The parents then plug the device into their computer's USB port, and a file displaying a link to view information about the speeding incident automatically opens. The link brings the user to a Google Maps web site that displays a satellite image of where and when the speeding occurred, and how fast the car was traveling. This product is not a total invasion of teenager's highly coveted but often elusive privacy: The device only monitors driver's whereabouts if they are speeding above a programmed threshold. The device will allow families to discuss safer driving habits.

 

DriveSync from Intelligent Mechatronic Systems INC. is the first passive GPS teen car tracking device that stores its records for one week or more on an USB data key.

• * The DriveSync is easily installed in your vehicle and monitors and records your vehicle usage: where, when, how far, how fast, and how aggressively your vehicle is used.
• * Periodically (e.g. once a week) the DriveSync Data key is removed from the vehicle unit and plugged into your home computer's USB port. DriveSync software is used to upload your usage information to the Server.
• * The Server processes your usage information and creates reports, maps, usage alerts, and a computerized analysis of your driving behavior.
• * Through a password protected website, you can analyze your vehicle's usage, create maps of routes driven, and get personalized tips on how to stay safe on the roads.

See also our GPS Car Tracking page for more tracking devices.

Real-time teen car tracking devices

Millennium Plus from FalconGPSTracking is a mobile teen car tracking device, stealthily secured inside a vehicle, that enables you to monitor and control many vehicle features. Employing a constellation of satellites, and patented GSM technology - you interface with your vehicle anytime via the Internet, or access reporting and alert functions by email, cell phone, or pager!

Configurable Features

• Geo-fence - define a geographic boundary around your vehicle, which if violated, you will be alerted
• Maximum Speed Exceeded - Alert is sent when the maximum speed is exceeded for a set period of time. Both speed and time variables are defined by the owner.

Reporting Features

• Vehicle Location Request - Receive current location, speed and heading.
• Vehicle Location History Request - Access historical location and event history.
• Top Speed of the Day - The fastest speed of the current day. Fastest speed resets after midnight.
• Low battery notification - the Millennium Plus unit will alert you if your vehicle's battery dips below 10.5 volts (or any voltage you define)
• Mileage notification - alerts you every 3,000 miles traveled (for oil changes), or any mileage you define)
• Continuous on/off reporting (great for fleet managers)
• Archived history is available on the Millennium Plus website for up to three months.

Remote Functions

• Door Lock/Unlock - Electronic device installed in the vehicle to unlock doors, turn on lights, sound the horn or control any electrical device on board the vehicle.
• Starter Interrupt - Allows the owner to remotely enable/disable the starter when the ignition is not engaged (stop teen drivers from misbehaving, or recoup stolen vehicles).

Other Features

• Compact size means Millennium Plus is easily hidden.
• Over 98% US coverage and virtually all of Mexico and Canada.
• May provide an additional insurance discount.

From CTI, LLC comes ACT GPS (Alcohol Consumption Tracking), that combines GPS teen car tracking and alcohol detection capabilities. This new device not only detects the presence of alcohol, but allows you to see exactly where the vehicle is located and even remotely stop the vehicle. Some models even offer an accurate blood alcohol (BAC) level. These new devices are designed to help reduce the instances of drunk diving, especially among the teenage population.

 

ACT GPS combines GPS with online tracking. As soon as alcohol is detected in a vehicle, an appropriate party is notified of the exact location of the vehicle and the time the occurrence was detected. Not only are you notified of the occurrence, but the product web site will keep track of all occurrences for you. For parents, this is an invaluable tool. Never again will you need to worry if your teenage child is driving under the influence, and if they are, you can stop them in their tracks before their bad judgment turns into a tragedy.

 

Homeland Integrated Security System's Cyber Tracker has been designed to be used in many applications: teen car tracking, fleet vehicle tracking, school bus monitoring and as a safety device for individuals, including children, the elderly, and hunters and outdoorsmen.

 

The Cyber Tracker's convenient rugged design (5" x 5" x 1") makes it applicable in a variety of situations where it is necessary to know the exact location of a person or object. It features an extended battery life. It is an inexpensive teen car tracking device that monitors a vehicle's location, stops, and speed. With the geo-fencing technology, users can designate areas that are restricted or off limits. If a vehicle carrying the device enters those areas, a notification is sent to the owner's desktop computer or PDA device. Push to talk technology enables others to be in voice contact with the driver at any time.

 

SkyGuard from SkyTel is an affordable innovative GPS teen car tracking and monitoring system, designed especially for families. SkyGuard allows you to monitor your family's driving, giving you important information about their location and driving speeds. The SkyGuard device installs easily into any of your family's vehicles, and sends information to the secure SkyGuard website, where you can:

• View the vehicle's location
• Set up zones to let you know your kids are where they should be, or avoiding areas where they shouldn't go
• Send messages alerting you when your teens exceed safe speeds

Plus, SkyGuard is more than just information. With SkyGuard teen car tracking, you can remotely unlock or lock doors, and even disable a vehicle's starter, preventing the vehicle from restarting once it's been turned off.

 

Discrete Wireless's GPS teen car tracking system is called Marcus. In about thirty minutes, a GPS unit is installed in a vehicle. Parents can then log onto the secure website and see exactly where that vehicle is at any time, 24/7. Additionally parents can customize the system to notify them with alerts when certain events occur or don't occur. For example, the Marcus system sends a text message to one or more mobile phones when a teen's vehicle goes into or outside pre-defined areas, speeds, or is used at odd hours. Using this system, parents can be immediately notified, by text message, blackberry, or email, if their teen does something they shouldn't. For instance, going to a particular house or business, leaving school during school hours, or exceeding pre-defined speed limits. The bottom line is if a teen knows that his or her parents are aware of everything they and their vehicle is doing, they are going to change their behavior. Impulse control saves lives and helps prevent accidents.

 

The patent pending DriveTronics system, is the ultimate in automated driver safety, coaching, monitoring, and in-vehicle training device for teens drivers. Using a electronic digital voice, it coaches drivers as they drive, alerting them when they commit certain common driving violations which causes accidents and injury. The voice provides constant driver training every time they get behind the wheel. The device combines a complete Digital Vehicle Recorder with an electronic voice that coaches the driver as he drives warning him if he violates certain driving rules that you set up. For example speeding, not wearing seat belts, not using turn signals, hard cornering, hard breaking, hard acceleration, driving during curfew, reversing without looking back first , driving outside a set perimeter, driving into a forbidden zone, and more. The instant voice warning helps to prevent accidents because the immediate feedback lets the driver know to stop that driving action before it causes an accident. The constant voice feedback helps to train the driver to become better drivers, providing a continuous electronic driver training program every time they get behind the wheel.

 

Advanced Tracking Technologies delivers the LockDownGPS, a real-time GPS teen car tracking device that allows parents to monitor the speed and location of their teen driver. The device also allows to lock/unlock doors and to block the ignition from anywhere with a cell phone or via the Internet. You can set up a geo-fence and a preset speed limit. You will be notified if the car exceeds this limit.

 

The SafeParents.com Vehicle Location System and services allow for real-time control and historical viewing of status and alarm data, including speed, direction of travel, starter disable, door unlock and most importantly, location. This information is viewed through the SafeParents.com website using any standard web browser which makes access to the system convenient and easy.

SafeParents.com technology allows for data retrieval from anywhere that you have Internet or phone access. It is also designed to notify you with violations to your parameters by sending a message to your email, Internet-enabled phone or pager.

 

Alltrack USA also has a real-time teen car tracking device. Parents can follow the tracked car on a map on the Internet or with any phone. An automated voice will tell you the street address of where the car is. A speed threshold and electronic fence can be defined by the parents. Location and data for the past 30 days are stored on-line, where you can always review them. Remote door unlock and starter disable/enable are other features.

 

The Car Guardian from Networkcar is a teen car tracking system that also displays the engine’s diagnostics and fuel efficiency. The service even offers Roadside Assistance. Networkcar lets you know what your car is thinking. For you and your family, this means fewer unexpected problems, more peace of mind and a safer way to travel.

 

From National Scientific Corporation comes the Tracker III GPS/GSM teen car tracking device with geo-fence and speed limit warnings.

 

Once installed inside a vehicle, the DirectTrack MLU enables its owner to monitor and control the vehicle remotely. The real-time reporting and alert functions are accessible on the Internet, or communicate with your vehicle by email, cell phone or pager. Geo-fence, maximum speed alert, door lock/unlock and starter interrupt are among the features.

Real-time teen car tracking devices via cell phones

Teen Arrive Alive offers a GPS Program with a FREE Motorola i730 Nextel phone. As a subscriber to the TAA GPS Program, using your secure PIN and any phone or the Internet, you’ll be able to hear or view the current location of your child (street, street number, city, state), 24/7h.

 

ULocate offers a similar service. The program also requires Nextel service and one of five Motorola GPS phones. Subscribers can watch a driver's progress and receive online reports of the car's speed, direction and location every two minutes. You can also receive alerts via e-mail or text messaging when a child arrives at home, school or any other location.

 

The phone based tracking system from DriveTronics works with Nextel phones. A Nextel phone with built in Java and GPS is offered for free. It allows parents to track the location of their kids for example, parents can see on a map on their phone the location of their family members, they can get a phone notification if their kids leave or enter designated areas, such as home, school, mall, friends house, relatives, and if they exceed a certain speed. The system gives parents the address, speed, heading, city state and zip of their teen’s phone. For the teens the system includes navigation via their phones, so they can see where they are on a map on their phone, while they drive.

 

See our GPS phones page for more examples of tracking with GPS-enabled phones.