Chevrolet’s new industry-first Buckle to Drive feature, embedded in Teen Driver mode, is the latest feature designed to encourage young drivers to develop safe driving habits right from the start.
Chevrolet’s industry-first Buckle to Drive feature is available 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 center that reads “Buckle seat belt to shift.
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 percent compared to the standard audible chime seat belt reminder in a similar Chevrolet vehicle.
“Safety is our number one priority at Chevrolet,” said Morrow, the mother of a teen driver. “I come to work every day with my children in mind because there is nothing more important than their safety. My hope is that Buckle to Drive will help guide more young drivers to wear their seat belts and encourage positive conversations among teens, their peers and parents.”
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 center that reads “Buckle seat belt to shift.”
- Chevrolet’s Teen Driver system with the Buckle to Drive feature will be standard on the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, Malibu and Colorado, all arriving this summer.
Chevrolet’s Industry-First Buckle to Drive Feature Reminds Teen Drivers to Buckle Up
Today, Chevrolet introduced an industry-first Buckle to Drive feature that can help remind young drivers to buckle up before driving. Buckle to Drive is standard in the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, and when active can prevent the driver from shifting the vehicle out of park if the driver’s seat belt is not buckled.