(NAPSI)-Even before the ink dries on a teen's new driver's license, they are thinking about the freedom this milestone provides. Their parents, however, are likely to be facing one of the most stressful moments in their lives as they confront anxiety and concerns about their teen's safety. Can parents keep their peace of mind when they hand over the car keys? The answer could be as simple as good communication and modern technology.
The negative issues associated with teen driving are many--high rate of accidents, the distractions of cell phones and text messages, unruly passengers and driving under the influence. Therefore, it's not suprising that parents are concerned about the safety of their teen driver.
According to an Allstate Foundation survey, the majority of parents (78 percent) have taken the first critical step of speaking to their teens about safe driving behavior and nearly as many (70 percent) claim to have established ground rules. However, the survey found that three in four parents believe their teen is a safer driver when he or she is supervised.
Parents no longer have to give up control when their child drives away thanks to new technology that balances parents' concerns for safety with the freedom their young adult needs. Personal GPS locators such as Zoombak, found at retailers like Radio Shack, Pep Boys and Target, allow parents to quickly monitor and determine a car's location in real time, even from their cell phones.
A personal GPS locator allows parents to set up "safety zones" around any location including schools, homes or malls. The locator sends a text message or e-mail alert when the vehicle enters or exits one of these zones and can even send alerts when the car exceeds a designated speed limit. Because these locators can also aid in the recovery of a stolen car, many insurance companies offer a discount for using them. For parents, a personal GPS locator can let them know that their teen has safely navigated the hazards of the road while allowing teens to gain their parents' trust in a "hands off" manner.
Building trust with your teen driver does not have to be a one-way street. Thanks to open communication and some modern technology, parents of teen drivers no longer have to wonder what their teens are doing when they hand over the keys.