Teenage Driving Statistics – Why GPS Tracking Matters

In a 2011 study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), 68% of teens said they had narrowly avoided a crash, and more than half had experienced more than one close call in the past year. More than 2,000 students in 28 high schools were surveyed for this study, which was released on June 13.

Of those who said that they had a close call, 55% blamed other drivers or the weather. However, when asked what was happening during the exact time of that close call, 30% of teens said they were speeding, 21% said they were texting and 20% said they were talking to passengers in the car.

A similar study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance in April, found that when crashes occurred because of an error made by a teen, 20% of the time distracted driving was to blame (texting, mp3 players, passengers, etc.). The study also found that speeding was responsible for 21% of crashes in which teens were at fault. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens are four times more likely to get into accidents than older drivers. About 3,000 teens died in auto accidents in 2009; according to CDC estimates, roughly 350,000 were treated for injuries.

Stephen Wallace, chairman of SADD, says the idea to research close calls by teen drivers came out of focus groups. “We were hearing a lot of kids saying ‘I almost did this, I almost did that,’” Wallace says. The problem is, however, these close calls and crashes aren’t changing driving behaviors and bad habits among teens. According to the Liberty Mutual/SADD study, a little over half the teenagers surveyed said their new habits lasted only a few months or less.

GPS Tracking Devices For Teenage Drivers

As children gradually transition into adolescence, one of the greatest fears that parents often face is placing their teenagers behind the wheel of a car. This is a significant event in the life of both the parent and the teen, however, parents now have the tools necessary to ensure their child is responsible behind the wheel. Teen tracking using GPS technology provides a level of security from the convenience and comfort of home using a computer, smartphone or mobile tablet with internet access.

Real-Time GPS trackers can capture and transmit important GPS location data, such as time, position, and even the vehicle’s speed in a matter of seconds. GPS tracking devices, such as Tracki, Vyncs GPS, LandAirSea 54, and SpaceHawk GPS overlay the live and historical positions over high-resolution satellite images such as Google Maps. This provides a truly user-friendly and intuitive tracking experience.

And since speed is often a major concern for parents, who are the ones that pay for the insurance premiums, alerts can be sent as a text message (SMS) or email when a user-defined violation occurs. In addition to speeding alerts, location proximity alerts can also notify parents of the arrival and departure of their vehicles.

GPS vehicle trackers have also become relatively affordable over the past few years, offering a simple and logical safety solution for less than a cup of coffee per day. Teen tracking also has the potential to provide some financial benefits as well. Many insurance companies recognize GPS tracking devices as a theft recovery solution and offer a policy discount.

How Installing GPS Tracking Devices Can Help Teen Safety

According to recent statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation, young drivers between the ages of 16-20 were involved in 58,392 total reported crashes in 2010. And although they account for about 8% of all licensed drivers, their involvement in crashes is considerably higher. In addition, teenagers driving at night with passengers are four to five times more likely to crash than teenagers driving during the day.

A statistical research study performed by the National Traffic Safety Administration also revealed that more than 5,000 teens are killed annually in traffic collisions, which makes it the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 15 and 20.

GPS car trackers, can be used to monitor and track the driving habits of young drivers by keeping them accountable for their whereabouts and their driving tendencies. Installing a GPS tracking device can also help reduce the risk of vehicle-related accidents, injuries, or even fatalities among young, less-experienced drivers.

While no guaranteed life-saving inventions are available in today’s market, proper monitoring and guidance can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and/or fatalities among teenage drivers. Utilizing devices such as real-time GPS trackers, can serve as a valuable preventative tool to help parents monitor one of their most cherished assets, their children.

Dealing with anxiety can really be difficult. Some people with anxiety disorder can experience symptoms that may already affect their quality of life and prevent them from functioning normally. 

Emotional symptoms of anxiety can appear as excessive worrying, fatigue, panic attacks, poor concentration, insomnia, or irritability. On the other hand, physical symptoms may appear as extreme chest pains, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, sweating or shortness of breath.

If you are experiencing most of these symptoms, you may be experiencing anxiety. The best solution for this is to get checked by professionals. But, if you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, it is also helpful to remember the following coping mechanisms to ease anxiety:

1. Be physically active

One of the easiest hacks to feel better is to exercise. When you work out, you provide a jolt to the brain’s reward centers—the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated, and maintain hope. When you work out regularly, the brain remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine, or called the happy hormones.

2. Quit alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes

These three things might give you the feeling of relief for a short time, but these may actually worsen your anxiety. If stopping using these substances are hard for you, it is probably best to reach out to support groups or therapies like with Everyday Empathy

3. Do relaxation and stress management techniques

When the brain is filled with negative thoughts, doing yoga or meditation techniques can effectively help ease anxiety. Meditation, visualization, and focusing on breathing can help with letting go of feeling of worry and fear.

4. Eat healthy foods

Remember the saying, “you are what you eat”? Well, it is true because what you eat can be the reason for your mood. According to research, a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish may be linked to reduced anxiety and depression.

Another quick dopamine hack is eating spicy foods. In response to the pain of eating spicy food, the brain releases hormones like endorphins and dopamine which makes you feel euphoria similar to a runner’s high.

5. Get quality sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep for your age can be helpful in lessening the feelings of anxiety. Do what you can to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel rested. If you find it hard to sleep or stay asleep, it is best that you talk with a professional.

6. Learn about your disorder

The best way to deal with your condition is to talk about it with professionals. In this way, you will learn your triggers and how to properly deal with it – may it be with medication or therapy. Seeking support might be difficult at first for some, but this is the best way to deal with how you are feeling.

7. Stick to your treatment plan

If you are undergoing treatment with healthcare providers, do your best to take medications as directed. Complete your therapy and do your therapy assignments. When dealing with anxiety, consistency in your treatment can make a big difference.

For more information, visit:dcl=10833