Daddy took the T-Bird away when he found out his daughter was taking it to the hamburger stand and not the library, but she had a good ol’ time at his expense for a few weeks until he figured it out. But if Dad had the GPS technology available today, he’d have nipped the hamburger stand visits in the bud on the very first day. Most GPS navigation devices are commonly used to get a user from point “a” to point “b,” but the new technology expands that basic capability with a live web based tracking unit that updates vehicles positions every 10 seconds. The vehicle’s position can then be viewed from any web enabled computer. This new technology can provide parents of teens who borrow the family car more peace of mind than ever before, and ensure the safety of their children, according to George Karonis, CEO of LiveViewGPS (www.liveviewgps.com). “As your teen's responsibilities increase, like the privilege to drive a car, a parent’s anxiety levels can skyrocket and for good reason,” Karonis said. “Your kids may argue that installing a GPS monitoring device in the family car shows a total lack of trust, but we believe it is more along the lines of ‘trust, but verify.’ After all, what would you rather have? A symbolic gesture of trust or a tool that will help ensure the safety of your child?” Karonis cites a few points that support the idea of trust, but verify: • Research has shown that teenagers don't drive safely for fear of crashing, but rather for fear of getting a ticket. Researchers said that teenagers have a sense of immortality and the "it can't happen to me" syndrome. • Getting a speeding ticket for just 20 mph over the limit could result in a $3,000 increase in premiums for auto insurance with a Teen Driver on your policy! • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15 to 20. Speeding has been a factor in over 37% of crashes involving 16-year-olds. The new technology in LiveViewGPS products greatly expands on the technology available in other devices, Karonis said. “Speed thresholds can be set online, as well as zone or area alerts,” Karonis explained. “Anytime your vehicle exceeds your set speed threshold, you will get a SMS text message to your cell phone, as well as an email, notifying you of the speed violation. Moreover, when your vehicle exits or enters a specified geographical zone, you can configure the system to also send you a cell phone or email alert.” Also, it is more reliable than a cell phone-based GPS widely used by parents to keep track of their kids, because the battery cannot run out like a phone. “A GPS vehicle monitoring system will act as a powerful deterrent for any negative behavior,” Karonis said. “We believe that parents can explain to their teenager that a GPS system in their vehicle is implemented out of love and not mistrust. You want your teenager to live to their 21st birthday. You also want the trust that exists between yourself and your teen to expand, and having a GPS vehicle monitoring system will empower you and your teen to build a stronger foundation of trust, while at the same time helping to keep them safe.”