This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Auto Club unveils tracking device to help parents control teens’ driving
A teenager in a driving simulator during a driver's education class.
(
heraldpost/Flickr
)
Listen
1:11
Auto Club unveils tracking device to help parents control teens’ driving
Auto Club unveils tracking device to help parents control teens’ driving
The Auto Club has unveiled a new tool to help parents control their teenagers’ driving habits. But is it one step closer to Big Brother?
It’s called AAA Onboard, and the Auto Club is offering it free to their car insurance customers.
The small device, about the size of a printer cartridge, is made to plug into a teen's car. It will monitor how your teen drives, where he or she goes and it will tell you, chapter and verse, what that vehicle is doing.
What’s more, you can go online and program limits and restrictions that the system will monitor. You’ll get a text message if your teen breaks the rules.
“Worried about speeding?" says a video on the company's website. "You can set a maximum speed limit that notifies you when your teenager exceeds it. Worried about when they’re driving? You can use the curfew settings to establish times so that you’re notified when your teen is allowed to drive the car, and when they’re not.”
As you might expect, some critics are calling this an invasion of privacy.
Sponsored message
But the Auto Club points out that the accident rate for teen drivers is higher than for any other age group (accidents are also the leading cause of death for people between 16 and 20).
They claim that the tracker is simply a way to give parents the information they need, to have a serious conversation with their teens and maybe to save a few lives.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
