Focus 11: Teen Drive Cam

Video cameras are popping up in the cars of teenagers everywhere. They're not just watching the road, they're recording your kid too. It's part of a program designed to cut down on accidents, but is it spying? And can it pose problems for parents and teens in court?

By Theresa Petry,

May 6, 2008, 10:02 PM CDT

Video cameras are popping up in the cars of teenagers everywhere. They're not just watching the road, they're recording your kid too. It's part of a program designed to cut down on accidents, but is it spying? And can it pose problems for parents and teens in court?

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Like most teens, Tyler Jennings, a sophomore at SLU High School, couldn't wait to get his license, but he never imagined this being in his car. "At first I didn't really like it. It was kind of creepy, like when I have friends in the car, they're like what's that thing?" said Jennings.

It's a video camera his parents insurance company, American Family, asked if they'd be willing to install it in his car. He initially commented it would make a nice hat rack, put his hat over that," said Tyler's dad, Tim Jennings.

The camera records two angles, the driver and the road. Tyler is none too happy about it and says its embarrassing to explain to friends. "They're like wow, so your parents are at home watching you right now?" said Tyler.

The camera only comes on and records at certain times, like if he's speeding or makes an abrupt stop. "He was slamming his brakes on, the music was loud, he wasn't paying attention, and the guy in front of him stopped," said Tyler's mom.

Anything recorded is then sent in a weekly e-mail to his parents. "I think I went through a yellow light once, and it got that, so it goes on the internet and someone evaluates it," said Tyler.

Which poses the question, can the insurance company take action. "Does that enable them to increase their rates? Do they get to change their policy? Can they drop you? Those kinds of things," questioned attorney Travis Noble.

We're told no. The insurance company can only see this video if the client makes a claim. A separate company called drive cam handles everything.

The hope is the cost of the cameras will off set the millions spent annually on teen accident claims. "I'm sure there are situations where he's thought this thing might come on if i don't slow down or be more careful," said Tyler's dad. "Yeah, probably, like yesterday, when I was turning into my friends neighborhood, I was like, if I didn't have this camera, I would have made that turn a lot faster, said Tyler.

This driver cam has proven not only useful for teen drivers, but it could prove useful in court. "Our insurance agent told us if there was an accident that it would help us to protect Tyler, that if there was a crash, it would come on before the accident, and we could see what actually happened," said Tim Jennings.

Drive cam claims it's already exonerated four teenage clients in accidents. But what if the teen is to blame? Do they have to hand over evidence against themselves? "You don't tell police, and they're not aware of it, then I don't know, you're not, I'm not aware of any obligation that you would have to turn that over to police," said Noble.

If discovered, and the action is criminal, the video can be subpoenaed.

Tyler's parents aren't concerned. They plan to use a drive cam in their daughters car when she gets her license.

As for Tyler, he can't wait to be camera free. His parents say when that is depends on his driving.

American Family insurance offers the program to its clients for free. In Minnesota and Colorado, those who sign up for six months or more get a discount.

You don't need to have any particular insurance to sign up for the teen drive cam. It's available to anyone, but you'll have to pay for it.

The camera cost about $450. The service is $35 a month.