Licensed to drive
Parents of teen drivers may breathe easier with Ford’s new MyKey offering, which allows parents to limit speed and audio volume among other things.
Ford says the MyKey will help teens drive safer and have better fuel efficiency. Parents say it will make them more likely to let their teens drive. Teens say they don’t like it, but if it gets them behind the wheel more, they can live with it.
Among the features MyKey offers are:
- Persistent beltminder chimes at regular intervals to encourage driver to wear seat belt
- Earlier low-fuel warning (75 miles rather than 50 miles)
- LImited top speed of 80 mph
- Traction control system
- Limited audio volume to 44 percent of total volume
- A speed alert chilme at 45, 55, or 65 mph
The MyKey will debut next year on the 2010 Ford Focus coupe and will be offerend on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models.
I know I am many years away from having a child who can drive and who knows what they will have in vehicles then, but this is an interesting innovation. I’m not sure how truly effective it will be knowing how easily teens circumvent other safety measures if they are determined to. However, I like that it is customizable by the parent and could work in allowing incremental learning for new drivers.
What do you think? Would you buy it?
