5 Must-Have Apps for Teen Drivers

It can be difficult to let your teenager drive alone for the very first time. Many parents worry about their teens following traffic laws, wearing their seatbelts, and driving safely . It’s an understandable concern, as car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers across the United States. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers aged 16 to 19 years have a higher number of car crashes and traffic violations than any other age group in the US.

Texting and driving has contributed greatly to the most recent influx in teen car accidents. Luckily, in the age of technology, you can put your teen’s smart phone to good use with a number of mobile apps to help keep your young driver safe on the road.

1. DriveScribe – This app for iPhone and Android turns your teen’s smartphone into a “safe driving coach” and actually rewards your teen for driving safely by awarding points, which can be redeemed for gift cards to stores like Amazon, J Crew, Nike, Macy’s, and more! This app monitors speed, blocks texts and calls, and even shuts down all social media applications while the car is in motion. You can monitor their teen’s activity by subscribing to updates and notifications if your young driver makes a traffic violation.
2. Drive Safe.ly – Developed by iSpeech to be “the app to stop distracted driving,” this application reads incoming text messages aloud so your teen can still receive important messages without taking his or her eyes off the road. The app can also send an automated response to let the sender know your teen is driving and he or she should try back later.
3. Gas Buddy– This free application is helpful for anyone in desperate need of fuel. Gas Buddy lets you know where the closest gas stations are located and the cost per gallon for each location. This app can also help you and your teen monitor gas mileage and trip costs to help set a budget for traveling.
4. Repair Pal– If something unexpected happens to your teen driver’s vehicle and he or she is left stranded on the side of the road, this app can help find the nearest auto repair shop, call for roadside assistance, and even estimate repair costs for specific vehicles.
5. Sink Law Personal Injury Kit– In the unfortunate instance of an auto accident, your teen driver should be prepared with the ultimate auto accident guide. This app takes photos, records witness testimonies, calls emergency services, and is even equipped with a GPS function to help your teen tell the police and emergency responders exactly where the accident occurred. There are also a number of useful quick tips and videos to help young drivers know exactly what to do after a car accident.

If you have a teen driver who is new to the road, make sure he or she is equipped with these great safety applications to help you breathe easier. Remind your teenager to always wear a seatbelt and to check in as soon as he or she has reached his or her destination.

Set a good example by downloading these apps on your own smartphone and following all traffic safety regulations at all times. If you or your teen are ever injured in an accident , please contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney to help you handle the insurance companies and help get you on the road to recovery.