Getting a driver’s license is an exciting time for a teenager, but it could be downright nerve wracking for a parent. If you’re worried about your teen’s driving habits, a variety of in-car monitoring devices are available for parents to see what their kids are doing on the road. A recent report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that teens reduced their risky driving habits when their vehicles were equipped with monitoring devices.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. In 2007, over 4,100 teenagers riding or driving in passenger cars were killed in the U.S. Fifty-eight percent of those deaths were drivers. Teenaged drivers are at a higher crash risk than other age group—mostly due to their inexperience and immaturity. Fatal crashes involving teens typically involve driver error and/or speeding. These factors are enough for parents to want to take more control of their children’s driving.

The simplest safety device is the parent, followed by the safety belt. Parents need to lead by example. After all, children mimic what they see. Children of parents that do not always wear their seat belt are much less likely to buckle up. Conversely, children of parents that always wear their seat belt are much more likely to wear theirs.

Graduated driving licenses have also been shown to reduce teen traffic fatalities, but it is also up to the parent to enforce this requirement or set similar household rules, and for instance not allow teens to drive with passengers until their probationary period is completed. Driver distraction of teens is a major contributor to traffic crashes and fatalities.

There are a number of devices on the market to aid parents. Their capabilities vary with how much information and how quickly parents want to be alerted.

Monitoring devices: