Teenage drivers are more likely to wind up in auto accidents because of speeding, distraction and risk-taking. To help prevent mishaps caused by distracted youngsters speeding around with their music blaring, Ford's is introducing a new innovation called MyKey.
Designed to help parents encourage their young hooligans to drive more safely and efficiently, the system will allow vehicle owners to program a unique key which can limit the vehicle's top speed and audio volume, encourage seat-belt usage and even sound incremental warning beepers as velocity increases.
A driver using the special MyKey won't be able to turn off safety features like blind-spot monitoring or parking assistance. The vehicle's wheel-spin limiting traction control function can't be disengaged either. That means no burnouts in the school parking lot- though it could limit the vehicle's ability to escape from being stuck, for instance in deep snow. Top speed is limited to 80 MPH, or 120 KPH.
With MyKey active, the stereo system can't be turned up past 44 percent- and it remains muted until the driver's seatbelt is fastened. Hopefully your youngster won't drive beltless with an iPod and headphones on.
"Ford not only offers industry-leading crash protection and crash avoidance systems, we also are committed to developing new technologies such as MyKey that encourage safer driving behavior," said Susan Cischke, Ford group VP of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "MyKey can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions."
Ford says that they've surveyed parents, and that results have been favorable. Most would allow their kids to drive more often if their vehicle included the MyKey feature, especially with the audio and speed limits. As a result, the technology will be standard in the 2010 Focus coupe before making its way onto other vehicles in the automaker's lineup.
photo:Ford
Designed to help parents encourage their young hooligans to drive more safely and efficiently, the system will allow vehicle owners to program a unique key which can limit the vehicle's top speed and audio volume, encourage seat-belt usage and even sound incremental warning beepers as velocity increases.
A driver using the special MyKey won't be able to turn off safety features like blind-spot monitoring or parking assistance. The vehicle's wheel-spin limiting traction control function can't be disengaged either. That means no burnouts in the school parking lot- though it could limit the vehicle's ability to escape from being stuck, for instance in deep snow. Top speed is limited to 80 MPH, or 120 KPH.
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With MyKey active, the stereo system can't be turned up past 44 percent- and it remains muted until the driver's seatbelt is fastened. Hopefully your youngster won't drive beltless with an iPod and headphones on.
"Ford not only offers industry-leading crash protection and crash avoidance systems, we also are committed to developing new technologies such as MyKey that encourage safer driving behavior," said Susan Cischke, Ford group VP of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "MyKey can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions."
Ford says that they've surveyed parents, and that results have been favorable. Most would allow their kids to drive more often if their vehicle included the MyKey feature, especially with the audio and speed limits. As a result, the technology will be standard in the 2010 Focus coupe before making its way onto other vehicles in the automaker's lineup.
photo:Ford