Ethics and the GPS Tracker
 

So my mother is starting to get up there, and is recently widowed, meaning that she drives herself when needing to shop, doctor visits. I want to keep a better eye on her when she is on the road, and am considering installing a GPS tracker on her car. I don't know if she would be cool with that, so I'm toying with installing it without her knowledge. The tracker module just plugs into the OBD-II port, so it's a very quick install. Sooo...if I put it on her car without her knowledge, am I being a caring son, or just a sneaky sack of s**t?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Gps tracking is a way of life nowadays. I would even go a next step and install cameras. I have gps and cameras on all my cars to protect me from legal stuff

Why not use a phone app? We use Life 360

Keeping An Eye Out
 

I read this and think 'better not do this to me ! .

But the reality is, after age 70 or so maybe it's a good idea .

? Have you considered asking her ? .

Clamshell phone that she never has on...

who is the titled owner of the car ?
Could you spin it such that "its in case the car gets stolen" or some other reason ?

I agree its shaky moral ground. I would be curious if there are legal ramifications (if the car is involved in an accident, can your GPS records be subpoena'd ? - not sure)

A relative of a relative (cousin's father-in-law) is suffering from dementia. He'd go out and get lost. They had to put out a "Silver Alert" the last time... "Be on the lookout for a 85 year old driving a gray Porsche Carrera..." He got lost leaving the body shop...

Caring son, definitely

Be honest with her, sugar coat it as much as possible, but don’t secretly spy on her. If you really think she is a danger to herself and others, act to take away her right to drive.

Don’t break trust with your mother.