KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | New Phone App Helps Parents Monitor Teens Driving

New Phone App Helps Parents Monitor Teens Driving

by Diane Tuazon
NewsWest 9

MIDLAND - You may have heard the phrase "there's an app for that," and when it comes to cracking down on your teen driver's speeding habits, there's one for that too.

It's called the 'Safe Driver' App.

"It works like a GPS and monitors your speed, and keep track of mistakes when you're driving," Stop DWI Administrator, Charles Hodges said.

The Safe Driver App works as the phone uses it's GPS locator system, and records when a driver exceeds a pre-set speed limit that the parent programs into it.

"My son just turned 16 and I have to tell him to pay less attention to his phone and more on the road," Samantha Kimble, who likes the new app, said.

"I think it would be a good idea and it will make them more cautious on how they drive," Michael Waon, who also likes the new app, said.

When a driver exceeds the programmed speed limit, a warning sound goes off on the phone. This works as a vital tool to help parents and teens communicate on good and bad driving habits.

"This doesn't infringe on privacy rights. This is between the young person and parent. This is a parent / teen app," Hodges said.

The Safe Driver App has two versions available for smart phones. The basic one is free of charge, and the more advanced program costs about $25.