Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.
More often than not, the crashes are a result of driving errors or speeding.

Now there is a way for parents to know when their teens are driving recklessly without being in the car with them.

This drive camera allows you see when your teenager is driving badly.

American Family Insurance Agent, Kathy Alwes-Petri said, " It is not to spy on them, it is just to help them, and the parents will say, okay Jimmy, you weren't driving very safe."

The camera does not record endlessly. It is triggered by risky driving behaviors...so a sharp turn, a bump, a sudden stop will start it. It will then record about thirty seconds before the incident, and about thirty seconds after it happens.

16 year old Christian Mathews says he is very aware of it while he's driving.
"It feels like someone's looking at you at all times. Jenny LI: Does that make you drive better? Yeah, it does. It makes me think about what I'm going to do before I do it."

And that makes Ned Garcia–Mathews a happy parent. "It makes me feel better knowing that if something happens, he and I know about it and we can talk about it."

Parents receive email alerts about sudden stops, bumps and other risky driving incidents involving their teenager. They also receive driving report cards and coaching tips.

Garcia-Mathews said, "I want him to take his turns nice and slow, so he doesn't lose control."

And with the camera holding him accountable...Christian has been easing into his turns.

American Family Insurance offers the DriveCam through its Teen Safe Driver Program.