Real-Time Driving Feedback
In addition to reporting about driver behavior after the fact, the CarChip Pro has aggressive-driving alarms that can act as real-time warnings for teen drivers who are exceeding your pre-set maximum speed, making "jack-rabbit" starts, and creating "extreme" braking situations.
The alarms have four volume settings: off, low, medium, and high. Generally the "high" setting is preferred if you are going to enable the alarms. This ensures that the warnings will be easily heard over road noise and the radio.
There are 3 types of events that trigger the warning alarm in the CarChip Pro.
Exceeding the "Max Speed" - this warning is a constant beeping that indicates that the driver has exceeded the max speed permitted. It will continue to sound until the driver reduces his/her speed below the max speed setting.
"Jack-Rabbit" Starts - this warning is 5 beeps in a row, and then it stops. This warning indicates that the driver has accelerated at a rate that is faster (more aggressive) than the first pre-set accelleration limit, and may indicate aggressive driving, racing, poor fuel efficiency.
"Panic" Braking - this warning is 5 beeps in a row, and then it stops. This warning indicates that the driver has decelerated at a rate that is faster (more aggressive) than the first pre-set deceleration limit, and may indicate aggressive driving, improper following distance, poor hazard perception, poor situational awareness.
When these alarms sound, an "event" is also recorded in the CarChip Pro, and will be visible in the trip-log reports generated using the included CarChip Pro Software.
Research conducted by the Insurance Instititute for Highway Safety indicates that real-time driver alerts are most effective for teen drivers when they are used as "warnings" which allow the teen driver to correct behavior before being penalized for the action. (ref. IIHS Status Report Special "When Parents are Watching" (PDF), pg. 6)
For instance, let's say your teen driver has exceeded the Max Speed limit and triggered the alarm, but returns to a safer speed within 5 or 10 seconds. Using the CarChip Pro Software you will be able to determine how long your teen exceeded the Max Speed setting, and can "forgive" those alerts that resulted in corrective action being taken by the teen.
With no distracting displays to look for, the CarChip Pro provides clear audible feedback, reminding the teen driver to moderate their behavior while focusing on the road. The CarChip Pro is mounted securely out of the way in the OBDII port with no wiring or batteries needed. It does not block any part of the teen drivers view of the road.
Combined with a Parent-Teen Driving Contract, the CarChip Pro becomes a powerful tool for parents to teach safer driving, establish expectations for driving privleges, and monitor the skills of the teen drivers - relaxing settings as the teen demonstrates responsible driving behavior.
