May 7, 2009 When parents are watching their teenage children drive differently than when they’re alone or with friends. Unsupervised teens take more risks behind the wheel. A new Institute study indicates that equipping the cars teens drive with in-vehicle monitoring devices can help reduce these risks by giving feedback about driving behavior to both teenagers and their parents. Yet the devices may turn out to be tough sells not only to the beginning drivers but even to their parents, and over time the teens may become less cautious if they think their parents aren't paying attention. A companion survey indicates that most parents think the technology helps their kids be safer drivers. "Monitoring devices can help reduce teens' risky driving," says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research, "and perhaps ease some of the worry parents face when their kids start to drive. Our findings also suggest that technology can't substitute for parents getting involved." Teenage drivers' crash risk is consistently higher than the risk in any other age group. One proven way to reduce this risk is through strong graduated licensing laws. Another potential way is to use technologies to monitor driving and flag risky behavior like speeding, aggressive driving, and nonuse of belts. Some of these gadgets can pinpoint a vehicle's location and even let parents dial directly into the car if an alert sounds. Several insurers offer such devices to policyholders with teen ...