The Black Box: Parents can Monitor their Teenager’s Driving

Were you aware that there is actually a “black box” device that can be used in cars to deter speeding and reckless driving? Previously “black box” devices have been used on the roadways mainly as a way to monitor emergency vehicle drivers. There were similar boxes used by auto manufacturers to test new automobiles. However, there is now a move to get more parents to install the “black box” in the cars driven by their teens. That is my focus in this article. The product discussed is the RS-1000, which is sold by Road Safety International.

The manufacturers of the RS-1000 had many positive reasons for marketing and selling this device. The fact that there is an alarming death rate among teens killed in crashes was a major factor. Thousands of teens have either been killed or seriously injured in crashes due to their own mistakes, or those made by their peers. This seems to be especially true of those teens in the sixteen to nineteen year-old groups. Speed and being inattentive or over-confident all add up to disaster. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons for parents who consider purchasing the RS-1000.

Plus Factors

Helps to Lower the Risk of a Possible Car Crash
1. Records odometer readings and seat belt use.

2. Emits warning signals when excessive speed or loud inside car noises could cause distraction.

3. Records excessive stopping speeds that could mean possible tailgating.

4. Makes the driver aware of unsafe behavior while it can be improved upon.

5. Equipment is easily mountable in the vehicle.

6. Everything needed for parent’s follow-up is included with the “black box”. This includes cables and software so that reports can be processed through a PC.

7. It comes with a memory card that is easily removable for processing data.

8. The “black box” is easily moved from one car to another.

9. Possible insurance rate discount (depending on the provider).

10. Easily upgraded for the soon to be released GPS (Global Positioning System) device.

Negative Factors

1. Many parent’s and teens feel that this is an invasion of the teen’s privacy

2. The “black box” can be unplugged if the teen wishes to do so. However, this can be detected by the reports generated through the memory card.

3. Cars manufactured prior to 1996 will have to have a special part installed by an auto technician prior to installation of the “black box”.

4. The RS-1000 “black box” is only available through certain authorized dealers presently. The manufacturer sells it through their site at roadsafety.com.

5. Pricing for the system is $280 plus other related charges such as shipping, handling, and possibly taxes. This price, though it includes all necessary attachments, may seem high to some.

Similar Products Available from Other Manufacturers
1. Real-Time (Alltrack USA)
2. CarChip (Davis Instruments)
3. Smart Driver (smart-driver.com)
4. CyntrX (whereismycar.com)

All of the different models have similar features. There are printouts and graphs of necessary data. Some offer more advanced options, such as global positioning devices. Prices range anywhere from $139 to $635 dollars, with shipping and handling charges to consider. It just depends on what you’re looking for. Some units can also be rented at a monthly charge.

As you can see, the RS-1000 offers a lot to think about. On the one hand, you want to use every possible method at your disposal to keep your teen safe. However, on the other hand, you don’t want them to feel that you lack confidence in their driving ability. Many have objected to the use of the “black box” by saying that the parent’s themselves should spend more time in the car with their teen. However, those that oppose that way of thinking feel that teens will naturally try to be on their best driving behavior when the parent is present. That becomes a different story when the passengers are their peers. Now, after going through all the information above, what’s your opinion? Either way, it does give you a lot to think about.