How To Track My Teenage Driver
New teen drivers are a concern for many parents. Driving for the first time is a significant milestone, especially for teenagers. When they obtain a driver’s license, they want to experiment with everything they have seen on TV and in video games.
It not new information that teenagers are more likely to drive recklessly, putting themselves and others at risk. They are also more likely to exceed the speed limit or use their phone when they drive. This has led to a surging number of accidents in recent times.
Finding an app to track your teen driver is a great way to keep your eye on them without actually being in the passenger seat.
If you’re searching for apps that can assist you in monitoring your teen driver’s behavior, we have made a list of apps that will notify you in case of accidents and provide your teen driver’s location. Let’s dive in.
Why Do you Need an App to Track Your Teen Driver?
The CDC reports that, compared to other age groups, teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 had the most significant risk of automobile accidents. One of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States is fatal car accidents. Driving while distracted, lack of experience, going too fast, and driving while intoxicated are a few of the most frequent causes of teen driver accidents.
Tracking Apps to Keep you in the Loop
Below are a few apps that serve as car assistants and speeding alerts to help track your teenagers when they drive. Most of these have a customizable dashboard that makes them easy to use.
MamaBear
The Mama Bear app uses a text monitoring service to monitor text messages and notify parents when their teen is texting and driving so that the teen can be aware and make safer decisions. Texting while driving is a dangerous distraction to young drivers, but it’s hazardous for teen drivers who are known for phone use while driving.
Mama Bear lets you set a speed limit for your child and will notify you if they exceed it. Mama Bear can use location monitoring, arrival and departure notifications, and more. Mama Bear has paid versions for Android and iOS.
RoadReady
When it comes to monitoring your teen’s driving habits, RoadReady is ideal. This teen driving app records teen driving practice while on their learner’s permit. The design is simple to use, making tracking simple for you and your kids.
It ensures that your teenagers have enough experience driving in various scenarios before they start practicing unsupervised driving.
The app keeps track of your teen’s driving time, the weather, and other factors as part of the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program. Additionally, the official website of RoadReady offers a digital driving curriculum that can be downloaded and printed. Both Android and iOS users can download the app.
Life360
Life360 has a few useful features that will keep your teen safe and give you the peace of mind you need whenever your teen gets behind the wheel. This app is rated one of the most famous for teen driver monitoring.
The app offers a free and paid version, but the Driver Protect Plan, which costs $7.99$ per month, is worth its price. Let’s see some features of this app below :
Safe Driver Review
This feature gives you insight into your teen’s driving habits and details of the trip showing route and duration, reports on maximum speed, rapid acceleration, aggressive handling, cell phone usage, and hard braking.
Automatic Car Crash Detection and EMERGENCY Response SYSTEM
Life360 free app will automatically detect if your teen got into a fatal accident. Your teen will automatically receive a call from one of Life360’s advisors on whether an emergency response is required. If so, they will send out services with the exact location of the accident while staying with your teen driver on the call until help arrives. They will also inform you, and anyone else included in the plan that your teen has gotten into an accident.
Extended Roadside Assistance
The amazing aspect of this feature is that your child can reach out to Life 360 24/7 for roadside assistance. So, assuming they get a flat tire, require a tow, or need guidance on how to go about a minor accident or any other issue, they can get help with a phone call.
Automatic
Automatic labels itself as "the connected car assistant ." The app features a driver’s score, which has a customizable dashboard that offers insight into the areas to make improvements. The free app monitors the driving habits of teenagers and gives a report to their parents. In addition, it also includes location monitoring and crash detection. The idea is that enhanced vehicle monitoring can assist teenagers and adults in driving safely on the roads without worrying too much.
Automatic is a free app available on iPhone and Android platforms, and its system needs an adapter that is easy to install by plugging it into the ODB port. The adapter synchronizes with your phone to store info on the Automatic CCA app. A unique feature of this app is that it can integrate with other apps.
TrueMotion Family Safe Driving
TrueMotion Family brings in an element of "fun" when driving safely. For families who fancy a friendly competition, the app tracks the driving habits of every family member and ranks them in other of their scores from best to least. Now, your kids can compete among themselves on who will be top in the safest driver ranking. Other features offered by the app include :
Tracks Use of Mobile Phone
The app tracks phone use while driving, including making phone calls and receiving text messages.
Tracks Aggressive handling
The app will track your teen’s speed and driving behavior; if your teen handles the car recklessly or partakes in any harmful driving activity.
DriveScribe
DriveScribe is also called the "Safe Driving Coach," and it converts your teen’s mobile phone into a personal safe driving coach. Among the remarkable aspects of this app is one that allows drivers to earn points that they can turn into gift cards to redeem for cash or purchases at their favorite retailers. Features of DriveScribe include :
Blocks Emails, Calls, and Texts
The free app lets drivers arrange a system where automated messages are sent as a reply to messages from family members and friends. These responses will let them know that your teen is driving, and the texts or calls will be attended to when your teen arrives at their destination.
Real-Time Driving Assistance
View statistics and trips, and receive alerts of driving mistakes to enable your teen to recognize those mistakes they made while driving and improve.
Earn Points for Redeemable Gift Cards
Drivers can earn points for using DriveScribe app and can later redeem it at retailers such as Sports Authority, eBay, Amazon, etc.
Hum by Verizon
Hum is an excellent safe-driving app that gives parents peace of mind when their teen gets behind the wheel. It is available on iOS and Android platforms only for Verizon wireless customers. The app is packed with a lot of safety features that offer benefits to new drivers and include :
Speed and Boundaries
The hum app will alert you if your teen’s car goes above the set speed limits or if they cross the specific location boundaries that you placed.
Vehicle Diagnostics
Your teen can check the condition of their car before driving out to see if there are any issues. It even has vehicle maintenance reminders so your teenager won’t forget to change the oil or rotate the car tires.
Call for Help
The app lets drivers contact certified mechanics whenever they need assistance when stranded on the road.
Crash Detection
If the Hum app detects a car crash, it will automatically alert emergency services and send help to your teen.
AT&T Drive Mode
This free app is accessible on iOS and Android platforms; it helps to silence phone calls and text messages on your teen’s phone when driving above 15mph. Instead of allowing the call or message to come through, the app will send an automated message stating the unavailability of the phone user.
If the teen turns off any of the safety features, parents will receive a notification of such activity. While this app isn’t a monitoring system for all bad teen driving habits, it aids in reducing teen drivers’ phone usage while behind the wheel. Anyone with a mobile phone can access this app, not only AT&T customers.
Final thoughts
Before you let your teen get their driver’s license, ensure that they are well equipped with a decent driver’s education. New driver training alongside a defensive driving course gives a young driver outstanding knowledge, the right driving habits, and skills for safety on the road. You can also assist your teen driver in being safe on the road with regular checks and supervision.
