The newest Chevy Malibu may just become every parent's best friend. It comes with a safety feature that helps them supervise teen driving.
The 2016 Malibu Premiere, which is expected to be released anytime soon and cost at least $31,000, will be equipped with a feature that's first in the industry. It's called Teen Driver. As its name suggests, it is meant for teens, but it also provides plenty of information that is perfect for adult supervision.
This technology has the ability to record car data while it's on the road and probably being driven by your teen. It tracks the speed, distance traveled, and how often the car's anti-lock brakes have been engaged. The record will also display notifications or alerts fed by the other safety features of the car.
Moreover, acting similarly to parental controls in computers and television, the Teen Driver's settings such as the speed, which ranges from 40 to 75 miles per hour, may already be pre-determined by the parents.
The Teen Driver is beneficial to young drivers as well. It comes with several alerts, both visual and sound, to guide them once they're behind the wheel. The sound's volume can be controlled so it's audible enough but not too distracting or loud to cause panic attacks. It also remains muted until the ignition is turned on and the seatbelt is worn. The cues can inform the driver about traction control and, most of all, if he or she is about to experience a forward collision.
The teens have the option to completely ignore all the warning signals and alerts, but they cannot change the data that will then act as their driving report card.
According to one of the safety engineers, MaryAnn Beebe, the feature provides a positive reinforcement for teens. Parents can already correct driving mistakes that may later become bad habits. On the other hand, it can help earn teens the trust badge as the information may tell the parents what responsible drivers they are.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that motor vehicle collision is higher among drivers between 16 and 19 years old.
