Lesson 12: Use Technology to Keep Your Teen Driver Safe

Today, at least one Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) feature is available on over 90% of new vehicles in the U.S. These features deliver great safety benefits to help save lives and prevent injuries, but they must be used correctly. You must clearly communicate that your teen driver should use these safety features as an “assistance” to driving, and not become reliant on them. 

Common Advanced Features

Modern ADAS features can be incredibly helpful, from warning drivers about hazards to taking action to prevent a crash, in some cases. Certain versions of Automatic Emergency Braking, for example, can bring the car to a full stop when needed, while Blind Spot Warning can alert drivers when other cars are in their blind spots. Check out MyCarDoesWhat.org to learn more about how these features work and get tips to ensure your teen driver is properly educated.

The Best Safety Feature

No matter how advanced the vehicle is, your teen is still its best safety feature. That’s why it’s so important for teens to understand that while advanced systems can warn him or her of hazards, it is crucial to stay focused and ready to respond at all times. Back-up Cameras, for instance, can make it much easier to back up, but your teen should still turn around and look for obstacles before doing so. Be sure your teen gets lots of practice before introducing these features. 

Practice: Go through your vehicle’s manual with your teen and identify all available safety features. Some may be more advanced than others, but your teen has to understand each of them in order to get their benefits. Talk through how your teen can take advantage of features like Back-up Cameras and Blind Spot Warning, but make sure he or she truly understands what the car can and cannot do.