Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Teen Driver Safety: DriveCam
Your teen has begun to drive and you reluctantly hand the keys over all too keenly aware of the risks involved. What if you could virtually ‘ride along' and monitor their driving habits? DriveCam is exactly that, a virtual way for you to be a "back seat" driver without being in the car.
American Family Insurance is offering parents of new drivers the option of installing tiny video cameras in their teens' vehicles for free. The camera begins to roll if the young driver makes an erratic behind-the-wheel move. Parents can view their child's driving performance online. American Family has an agreement with DriveCam Inc. of California for the exclusive rights to the cameras through 2010. The Teen Safe Driver Program uses innovative technology and parent feedback to help teens become safer drivers. As a result, the program can help dramatically reduce risky teen driving behavior.
Statistics for teenage drivers
In 2005, 4,544 teens ages 16-19 died of injuries caused by car crashes. In the same year, almost 400,000 motor vehicle occupants in that age group sustained nonfatal injuries that required treatment in an emergency room. Overall, in 2005, teenagers accounted for 10% of the U.S. population and 12% of motor vehicle accident deaths.
Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the population. However, they account for 30% — $19 billion — of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28 percent — $7 billion — among females.
The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16-19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash.
DriveCam and American Family Insurance's Teen Safe Driver Program dramatically improve teen driving. Keeping safe drivers on the road and reducing the reckless behaviors such as not wearing seatbelts, talking on the cell phone or texting while driving, engaging in distracting behaviors of any kind is the goal of these programs. According to a study at University of Iowa teens approve and recommend the program to other teens.
DriveCam has reviewed and analyzed the video of more driving mishaps and crashes than anyone else. We’ve learned a tremendous amount about how and why drivers get into trouble – be it their own fault or that of another driver. Give your young adult driver the best chance to stay crash-free during those first months by enrolling in DriveCam for Families.
