Although I still have a few years to get used to the idea of my kids driving, I’m wavering somewhere between clutching-my-chest terrified and pop-the-champagne excited that I no longer have to be their personal Uber driver anymore. But some recent developments in car technology are pushing me closer to the champagne flute than the Xanax — like the OnStar Family Link service.
Especially because Chevy is giving away three months of service free right now.
Related: 8 great cars for families that fit 3 car seats across the back seat
A few weeks ago, my boys and I were invited to attend a press trip with Chevrolet to test drive their new 2018 Traverse mid-size SUV through western Michigan — a destination you should totally visit in August, by the way, because highs in the mid-70s are where it’s at. But besides the lovely weather, one of the big takeaways from the trip was how fantastic the OnStar Family Link is.
Family Link shares real-time data about your car with anyone registered on the account which is so great for those of us giving our kids wheels-in-training.
So yeah, text alerts when your kids have reached their destination may seem a little helicopter-y, but if you’ve got a kid who will absolutely forget to call you to let you know they arrived safely — or who you’d rather not bug at all because you know, independence — that’s a whole lot of peace of mind.
Related: What parents need to know about the new AAP car seat guidelines
I like that the car will record data like how hard a driver is hitting the brakes (hmm, maybe following a little too close?) or the percentage of the drive that was spent topping 80 mph.
Like I said, some young drivers need training wheels.
Of course, if you have a Chevy, you may know about their Teen Driver feature that mutes the radio until all seat belts are buckled and sends you a report card about your teens’ driving stats. Like, how often they brake too hard or drive over 80 mph.
Yep, kids, sometimes we’re keeping an eye on you even when we’re not there. It’s just part of our job.
If you have a 2012 or newer Chevrolet with an active OnStar subscription, you can grab your own free 3-month Family Link trial when you visit OnStar.com by August 31 and register your vehicle.
Thanks to Chevrolet, for inviting Cool Mom Tech on a press trip to test drive the 2018 Chevy Traverse through Michigan for a few days and get to know the features.
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