This article reports on a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which examined the efficacy of in-vehicle monitoring devices for teenage drivers. The study involved outfitting 84 teenage drivers with a black box monitor in their vehicle that was also equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities. The device recorded driving-specific data, such as when drivers braked sharply or accelerated suddenly, didn't wear seat belts, and drove faster than the speed limits. It found that while these monitoring devices provide feedback about driving to teenagers and their parents, and thus help reduce driving risks, the teenage drivers overtime may think their parents are less attentive and thus their driving becomes less cautious. Parents were required to visit a website for further details about their teenagers' driving behaviour, but parents tended to lapse in this regard. More detailed observations by the parents and their teenage drivers, as well as those of insurers, are included in the article. The article also includes a sidebar which describes additional monitoring devices for teenage drivers, such as video systems and smart keys.
Abstract