Teen Automobile Death and OBD2 Device

I have four teenagers and two are of driving age. Motor Vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death amount teens in the USA. In the first year on the road Teens are 10 times more likely to get in a car crash.  I want our kids to be able to drive BUT to be safe. I would assume that most teens probably drive a little different when their parents are not in the car. We can hope that they drive the way they should but how do we really know.

At some point I have to let my kids grow up and drive. With four kids its helpful also to have another driver in the household with all the activities that we are constantly doing. This is how I decided to combat the mothers worry that I always have.

Ryan and I bought on Amazon the "MotoSafety MWVAS1 Teen Safety Wired GPS Vehicle Tracking System and OBD2 Device"

WHAT!!! What is that you say? Here is the description....Moto Safety - Your Teen Driving Coach, is a small, easy-to install GPS tracking device that monitors your teen's vehicle location and driving behavior. Developed with the input of driving instructors and law-enforcement, Moto Safety gives parents a new peace of mind when their new drivers hit the streets. Using a web-based interface, Moto Safety allows you to track your teen's whereabouts in real-time, monitor and analyze key safe driving activities such as speeding, harsh braking, and rapid acceleration, and receive a daily driver's report card that tells you if your teen driver is improving. You also can setup Geofences (imaginary boundaries on a map) to tell when your teen enters and exits key locations such as school or a friend's house, and you can receive unlimited text and email alerts for key activities. Installation of the Moto Safety wired device only requires a simple three-wire installation and is totally discrete. Monthly airtime subscription required to operate system; includes manufacturer's limited lifetime device warranty. (20 dollars a month....totally worth every penny to me).

Okay...OKAY....so to us though this is not a SPY on your child thing. We are doing this WITH our kids so they learn about their driving. Here are some of the examples of why we are going to use this.

1. Setup emails to receive notifications: mine, my hubby and my son. So all notifications are sent to all three of us.
2. We setup zones for home and school. If he leaves these zones, we get an email notification.
3. We set speed limit thresholds. If he exceeds these we get an email.
4. Daily we get an email showing a report card of his driving for the previous day.
5. At any time we can map his route for a date (including the current day)and see exactly where he drove and how fast he was traveling. We can use this feature to say "where is he now?" or "how long did he spend at his friends?"
6. In addition to speed, there are notifications for sudden breaking and sudden acceleration.
7. We are doing this as a learning tool and also to reward when he is doing great. He isn't allowed to just drive anywhere as he has to ask but since he is driving to school and back this is helpful. All four of our kids will be using this and they all four know about it. It isn't a secret to trap our kids into doing something wrong and punishing them. This is about educating them on their driving still when we ARENT in the car. A tool.
8. I can replace my car but not my child.

FACT: In 2014 66 percent of teenagers say they care what their parents opinion is about their driving.

I thought I would share what we are doing. When I started driving at 16 I am sure my parents wished they had this. You don't technically have to tell your kids but we chose to use it as a learning tool and to work together as a family on their driving even after their license. If you have had one or have a question comment below and tell me what you think.

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Teenage Driver

I have four teenagers and that freaks me out when it come to driving! Today though I have my first official Teenage Driver. Jackson got his license after having his permit for a year. He is our oldest and although we have two kids who are of age to drive only one is interested in it. Cassie doesn't even have her permit yet and says she isn't ready. So we are waiting.

I am freaked out thinking about driving! I know in away there is a relief of all the driving I have to do with four teenagers that he will be able to run to the store or take himself to a meeting but I am still freaking out. FREAKING OUT! LOL!!

I remember turning 16 and being so excited to drive. My parents let me drive to the corner store with my sister and I thought I was the coolest person in the world! The ENTIRE WORLD! All we did was go to the corner store, buy a soda and come home. I remember seeing my dad peeking out the window. Ryan and I aren't much different.

We live on this really long road. Its oh about 3 miles and you can see all the way down it before you turn on the main road to go to our town. Its pretty funny because we let Jackson drive to go and get celebratory pizza and there was Ryan and I looking in binoculars to make sure he wasn't speeding past the neighbors house at the end of those 3 miles. Sometimes I do crack me up!

It has been funny day. When Jackson was standing in line to get his license you could see the excitement in his face and the dread of "what if I don't pass" feeling. Then what happens? We left one of the papers at home that we needed. So we had to go all the way back and get it and get back to the DMV. I think that stressed him out more because now he was overthinking everything.

Finally we are back with everything and he gets to get in the car. Ryan and I wish him luck and he starts walking out. We hear the lady say, "Which car is yours?" and hear him reply, "The Ferrari at the end there". Mind you he is actually pointing to my Chevy Equinox. She quickly retorts, "Well put the top down and lets go cruising" LOL! I am glad he had someone who helped him get into a relaxed mood but really took her job seriously.

As Ryan and I waited you could tell we were anxious because we kept looking out the window and talking about how old we were now! Teenage drivers scare me. I think that is why we waited till he was more mature and 17. I knew though when he got back whether he passed or not he would try to say he didn't.

As he walked in and tried to look sad and said he didn't pass. I laughed and then he laughed. He couldn't lie to save his life. He passed!

He finished his paperwork and the lady told us all his provisions since he cant drive between the hours of 11pm to 5am and he cant have friends in the car for the first year or till he is 18 whichever one comes first. She told him that we can take his driving privileges away at anytime. He told her that he knew that because we had been telling him since the day he got his permit. :) We were pretty pleased too because she said he had gotten the top score of the year. Mind you its April too not Jan 3rd or something:)

So I have a teenage driver. I better get used to it because I have 3 more kids to go one after another. We are going to take this slow. I wanted him though to have the memory that I did on the day I got my license of being able to go out. I asked him how it felt and he said it was pretty awesome. I am sure it helped that he saw a friend or two in the store. He got his license. Still funny that he told his friends that he was going to a Dr appointment just in case he didn't pass. Yep...that's my kid. Just happy he is happy and got his license.