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Chevy’s Teen Driver Software Taken for a Ride

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The 2016 Chevy Malibu's Teen Driver System report card

Almost every automotive manufacturer currently has or is working on some form of nanny technology that monitors teen driving habits. In this age of helicopter parenting, many parents want to know exactly where their teen is at all times and how they behaved. Whether you fall into that category or are a more relaxed parent, it’s a good idea to have an idea of how your young driver is doing behind the wheel when you are not around. Certain Chevy models, such as the Bolt, Colorado, Cruze, and Equinox, are available with Teen Driver software to both monitor and improve driver behavior. The team at Forbes decided to test the system for itself on a borrowed Chevy Cruze hatchback and a contributor’s son.

Michael Harley, the contributor who volunteered his son for the test, commented that setting up the Teen Driver programming in the car took a few minutes sitting in the car, but after that, operation is pretty easy. The system is part of Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system, so it is not tied to an OnStar subscription. Once everything was set up, Harley’s son Patrick took to the road.

After the testing period concluded, Michael and Patrick sat down to discuss the system. As with any monitoring software, Patrick admitted to driving slightly differently because he knew he was being watched. Teen Driver monitors a car’s distance traveled, speed, stability control events, wide open throttle events, antilock brake events, and other driving situations like tailgating and Forward Collision Alerts, if the vehicle is equipped with those optional features. In discussing the results, Patrick and Michael reviewed tailgating; one of Patrick’s biggest driving errors. He said he appreciated that the vehicle warned him when he was following too close and he backed up.

All in all, at the end of the test, both parent and young driver admitted that the system was helpful in correcting driving errors and promoting discussion about safe driving habits. Since car accidents are one of the top killers of young people, any help drivers can get is a positive thing. We hope that articles like this will encourage parents to turn on their vehicle’s available Teen Driver software of their manufacturer’s equivalent.

News Source: Forbes