Teen Driver

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is set to debut a new system called ‘Teen Driver’, which provides parents with a tool to help encourage safe driving habits for their kids, even in their absence.

The new system offered by the US-based General Motors’ (GM) division mutes the audio of the radio or any device paired with the vehicle in case the occupant in the front seat fails to wear their safety belts and supports safe driving habits.

Teen Driver also gives audible and visual warnings when it detects that the vehicle is travelling faster than preset speeds and is integrated with a built-in system that lets parents view how their teenager drove the vehicle on a display.

They can also confirm maximum speed reached, distance driven and number of times active safety features were engaged.

"The first step with this technology is to make sure that all drivers and passengers within the car are safe."

GM safety engineer MaryAnn Beebe said: "We developed this system so parents could use it as a teaching tool with their kids and they can discuss and reinforce safe driving habits.

If equipped, the Malibu can also keep track of over-speed warnings issued, stability control events, antilock brake events, forward collision alerts and forward collision braking events.

To enable the Teen Driver feature, a parent needs to create a PIN in the settings menu of their available MyLink system, which allows them to register the key fob of their teen.

The settings are turned on only to registered key fobs and when active, the system automatically mutes the radio until front safety belts are fastened.

If the vehicle is equipped with active safety features such as forward collision alert, they are automatically turned on.

Parents have the choice to select a maximum speed between 40mph and 75mph, which activates a visual warning and audible chime, if exceeded.

Chevrolet car marketing director Steve Majoros said: "The first step with this technology is to make sure that all drivers and passengers within the car are safe.

"In addition to innovative safety technologies like this, you will see efficiency, advanced connectivity and stunning design in the 2016 Malibu."

Image: Teen Driver provides parents with a tool to help encourage safe driving habits for their kids. Photo: courtesy of General Motors.