How Vehicle Parental Controls Are Saving Teens
Allentown car accident attorneys warn that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 20. Teenagers often underestimate driving hazards or are unable to recognize them, and people under 20 account for the largest group of distracted drivers by a large margin. Manufacturers like Ford and General Motors have introduced vehicle parental controls that help parents ensure their children are as safe as possible on the road.What Are Parental Controls in Vehicles?
There are two basic types of controls available in such systems: monitoring and rule enforcement. Data can be delivered to parents in real time or recorded for later access. Real-time data is particularly helpful since parents can receive in-the-moment notifications via their smartphones and other devices. Enforcement mechanisms allow parents to set rules, which are then imposed by the system. The radio, for instance, may turn off when the car is started and not turn back on until all seat belts are appropriately connected. The specific controls vary between makes and models, but they can include:- Speed limits
- Radio volume limits
- Passenger restrictions
- Time of day/night controls
- Geographic range restrictions
Are Parental Controls Making a Difference?
As of this writing, parent controls in passenger vehicles are still a relatively fresh concept. Most new cars do not include them yet, but we do know that more than 84 percent of parents surveyed wanted them for their next new car purchase. The lack of data thus far means there is not much hard evidence that a difference is being made. However, parents who have these controls are overwhelmingly positive about their options to keep their kids safer. In particular, these parents praised their new ability to limit distractions such as:- Radio volume
- Text messaging
- Multiple passengers
- Fiddling with controls
Growing Acceptance by Teenagers
Multiple manufacturers have stated that rebellious teenagers were a concern. The fear was expressed that this would be such a hassle for the
parents they would choose vehicles without the controls. This hasn’t been the case, however, and recent marketing research demonstrates a high level of positivity among teenagers. This generation is perhaps less freaked out about potentially invasive technology in their lives, and more than 64 percent said that they would not resist parental controls. This is a change from just a decade ago, and experts believe that it will drive growth in the market.
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