"Effectively, the trigger camera is there to basically extend this parent-in-the-vehicle concept when the parent is no longer in the vehicle," Dr. Ebel explained. The data are transmitted to a central server, collated, and e-mailed back to parents and their teens so that they can be used as an educational tool.
Research that she and her colleagues have done has found event-triggered video to be acceptable to teens, eventually. "Kids of course hated it at first, but at the end they saw a lot of value and they learned a lot about how to reduce their [event] scores," she said. And a study looking at quantitative impact has found a 61% reduction in the so-called coachable events when this technology is used (Am. J. Public Health 2010;100:1101-6).
"This is worth thinking about," Dr. Ebel asserted. "But it definitely has implications for privacy, and I think basically from a broader information perspective, who is going to take this up."
A second new technology, an electronics-disabling device, ironically uses cell phone technology to reduce the distraction of mobile devices in the car. This is important given that evidence shows, for example, that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to have a crash or near-crash than are their nondistracted counterparts (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, July 2009).
"These are basically devices that stop your cell phone and text message service while you are in the car," she explained. "They can tell that you are moving, so it activates at 10 mph. They can send a message to your buddies, so you don’t feel like they are just hanging there."
Additional features include the ability to generate reports about driving parameters such as speed, according to Dr. Ebel. And drivers can still make emergency calls and use navigation systems.
A third technology, being introduced by auto manufacturers, is making it possible to tailor the vehicle environment depending on who’s driving, for example, through development of cars that recognize different keys used by parents and their teens.
The car key that you hand your kid could limit the vehicle speed and the audio volume, as well, she explained, thereby favoring safer driving conditions.
Dr. Ebel said that she had no relevant financial disclosures.
Therese Borden contributed to this article.