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Chevy expands tech to monitor teen driving

 
Teen Driver technology, with industry-first in-vehicle report cards, displays to parents how their teen drove including how far they traveled, top speed reached and whether available active safety features were activated. (TNS)
Teen Driver technology, with industry-first in-vehicle report cards, displays to parents how their teen drove including how far they traveled, top speed reached and whether available active safety features were activated. (TNS)
Published Sept. 5, 2016

Parenting and stress are as inseparable as teens and texting.

Chevy is trying to minimize that by expanding its Teen Driver technology to 10 of its 2017 vehicles, including the Bolt EV, Camaro, Colorado midsize pickup, Cruze, Malibu, Silverado and Silverado HD pickups, Suburban, Tahoe and Volt. Teen Driver will cover 64 percent of Chevy sales, according to Automotive News.

Activated by the key fob, Teen Driver can let parents limit the maximum volume on the radio and can give audible and visual warnings when the car is traveling faster than the preapproved speed set by the parent. If front seat belts aren't being used, then the audio won't work.

"Chevrolet developed this system as a tool that can give teens some additional coaching as they're gaining experience," Chevy safety engineer MaryAnn Beebe said. "Driving on your own is a big milestone for teens, and Teen Driver helps to remind them to practice safe driving."

Teen Driver provides a report card on the teen's driving for parents to help coach safe driving habits. The report card can show distance traveled, antilock braking events, tailgating alerts, and "wide-open throttle events."

Other automakers have teen monitoring systems, including Ford MyKey, Hyundai Blue Link, Kia Uvo, and Mercedes-Benz mbrace, though Chevy's is the most comprehensive.