Teen Driver Support System
TDSS provides real-time feedback about driving behavior
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and speeding, distractions, and failure to use a seatbelt are major factors behind the high fatality rate. In response, the ITS Institute, with the support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the USDOT, has developed a new version of the Teen Driver Support System (TDSS). The system is a GPS-enabled smart phone mounted on the dashboard to provide the driver real-time visual and audio feedback about driving performance.
The TDSS device warns the driver if they commit an infraction and also protects the teen with more active measures: the car won't start unless seat belts are buckled, and the driver will be warned if there are other passengers in the car in violation of the Minnesota provisional license law. If an infraction continues, a text message is sent to parents.
According to its developers, the TDSS is intended as a tool for parents to encourage teens to build safe driving habits in their early years on the road.