“Buckle to Drive is Chevrolet’s latest feature designed to encourage young drivers to develop safe driving habits right from the start,” said Laura Pacey, brand director, Chevrolet. “Buckle to Drive is embedded in Chevrolet’s Teen Driver system and is aimed at helping remind teens to buckle up every time they get behind the wheel.”

Because Chevrolet is concerned about the risks of not buckling up, it has conducted extensive research in the area. The Buckle to Drive feature in Chevrolet’s Teen Driver system was based on a recent internal pilot study of a similar feature that Chevrolet offered to select fleet customers. In fact, a study conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety found that the feature increased the seat belt use of adults who occasionally use a seat belt by 16 per cent compared to the standard audible chime seat belt reminder in a similar Chevrolet vehicle.

How Buckle to Drive Works:

• The Buckle to Drive feature is available only when the vehicle is in Teen Driver mode.
• If the vehicle is on and the driver’s seat belt is not buckled, the feature is designed to not allow the driver to shift out of park for up to 20 seconds. When the brake pedal is pressed, the driver will hear an audible alert and see a message in the driver information centre that reads “Buckle seat belt to shift.”

Seat Belt Fast Facts (Government of Canada):

• When worn correctly, seat belts can reduce the chances of death in a collision by 47 per cent and the chances of serious injury by 52 per cent.
• 4 per cent of fatalities that occurred in 2017, the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
• It is estimated that about 300 lives could be saved every year if everyone wore seat belts.

About Chevy’s Teen Driver:

• Teen Driver offers an industry-first in-vehicle report card that helps encourage safe driving habits and provides a way for parents and teens to discuss safe driving practices.
• Parents can view how their teen drove the vehicle. The report card tracks:
• Distance driven, maximum speed travelled, over-speed warnings issued, wide-open throttle events and the number of times other safety systems were activated, including stability control, traction control and antilock braking.
• To use Teen Driver mode, a parent can enable the feature by creating a PIN in the Settings menu that allows them to register their teen’s key fob. The Teen Driver settings are turned on only when a registered key fob is used to start the vehicle.

• When active, Teen Driver automatically mutes the radio until the driver and front passenger seat belts are fastened. The radio system’s maximum volume can also be set to a lower level.
• If the vehicle is equipped with certain active safety features like Forward Collision Alert, they are automatically turned on.
• Parents can select a speed warning (between 65-120 km/h) that if exceeded activates a visual warning and audible chime.
• Parents can choose to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle to 135 km/h.
• Teen Driver mode in the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, Malibu and Colorado will include the new, industry-first Buckle to Drive feature.

Concerned about you and family members remembering to use your current vehicle’s seat belts? Click the TEST DRIVE button below if you would like a demonstration of the Teen Driver Mode in the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, Malibu and Colorado once inventory arrives.