All over the world, thousands of drivers (especially young ones) die in car accidents because they feel invincible, take too many risks and don’t heed the Highway Safety Code. The impact of awareness campaigns is hard to measure, and governments are still looking for concrete solutions to this veritable scourge. The Ange Gardien system invented by Canadian Denis Hugron may be what they’ve been looking for.
His high-tech device is an alternative to systems like Ford MyKey, which is already available on many Ford models.
It distinguishes itself by its ability to prevent dangerous behaviour (speeding, drunk driving, no seat belt) and by the fact that it gives parents a monitoring tool by providing a picture of their children’s habits without having to constantly accompany them.
Before you turn the key
The system makes its presence known even before the driver has left the parking lot. When the engine starts, Ange Gardien determines if the seat belts of all occupants are buckled. If not, no one’s going anywhere.
The system also scans the cabin for alcohol fumes before leaving. If any are detected, the driver will have to blow in a breathalyser to determine if he or she is above the legal blood alcohol content.
On the road
Hugron’s invention uses GPS technology and memorizes the speed limit of all the roads in Quebec. If the driver tends to speed, Ange Gardien reacts in different ways.
If the driver exceeds the limit by 5, 10 or 15 km/h, a green, yellow or red light comes on, signalling the driver to be careful and slow down.
Above 15 km/h, the red light starts blinking. After 20 seconds, the system forces the car to decelerate gradually, as if you were releasing the gas pedal. The feature is designed to allow the driver to pass another car without being hindered.
After three forced decelerations, the system puts the car on stand-by for five minutes. If the driver doesn’t want to cooperate and the car goes on stand-by three times in a row, a call will immediately be placed to 911 requesting police intervention.
Distance monitoring
Parents looking to monitor their child’s behaviour behind the wheel can consult a detailed report containing statistics and information on vehicle speed and speed limits, the roads used and the actions taken by Ange Gardien.
That’s all well and good, but some questions still need to be answered. We don’t have any information on purchase and installation prices, for instance, but we can imagine that such a sophisticated system won’t come cheap.
If you had the chance, would you install Ange Gardien in your car to prevent your children (or even yourself) from taking risks on the road?
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His high-tech device is an alternative to systems like Ford MyKey, which is already available on many Ford models.
It distinguishes itself by its ability to prevent dangerous behaviour (speeding, drunk driving, no seat belt) and by the fact that it gives parents a monitoring tool by providing a picture of their children’s habits without having to constantly accompany them.
Before you turn the key
The system makes its presence known even before the driver has left the parking lot. When the engine starts, Ange Gardien determines if the seat belts of all occupants are buckled. If not, no one’s going anywhere.
The system also scans the cabin for alcohol fumes before leaving. If any are detected, the driver will have to blow in a breathalyser to determine if he or she is above the legal blood alcohol content.
On the road
Hugron’s invention uses GPS technology and memorizes the speed limit of all the roads in Quebec. If the driver tends to speed, Ange Gardien reacts in different ways.
If the driver exceeds the limit by 5, 10 or 15 km/h, a green, yellow or red light comes on, signalling the driver to be careful and slow down.
 |
Above 15 km/h, the red light starts blinking. After 20 seconds, the system forces the car to decelerate gradually, as if you were releasing the gas pedal. The feature is designed to allow the driver to pass another car without being hindered.
After three forced decelerations, the system puts the car on stand-by for five minutes. If the driver doesn’t want to cooperate and the car goes on stand-by three times in a row, a call will immediately be placed to 911 requesting police intervention.
Distance monitoring
Parents looking to monitor their child’s behaviour behind the wheel can consult a detailed report containing statistics and information on vehicle speed and speed limits, the roads used and the actions taken by Ange Gardien.
That’s all well and good, but some questions still need to be answered. We don’t have any information on purchase and installation prices, for instance, but we can imagine that such a sophisticated system won’t come cheap.
If you had the chance, would you install Ange Gardien in your car to prevent your children (or even yourself) from taking risks on the road?