Ford "MyKey" keeps teen drivers under 80 mph

Mon Oct 6, 2008 3:12PM EDT

See Comments (101)

The new, chip-embedded car keys will also keep young drivers from cranking the car stereo, as well as sound alarms until seat belts get fastened. Looks like the carefree days of "American Graffiti" are over, in more ways than one.

The Associated Press reports that an "unspecified number" of 2010 model Ford cars and trucks (including the 2010 Ford Focus, due next year) will come with the MyKey feature, which will eventually get rolled out to all Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models.

Besides the option of keeping young drivers from going over 80 miles per hour (leaving a slight buffer over most state speeding limits "in case an unusual situation arises," the AP notes), parents can also set MyKey to sound in-car alerts if their kids accelerate past 45, 55, or 65 miles per hour.

Among other possible MyKey restrictions: A volume limit for the car radio (to "44 percent of totally volume"), along with chimes that sound once a minute (and mute the radio) until drivers and passengers buckle their seat belts.

Naturally, teens aren't amused by the coming MyKey feature; indeed, a Ford survey found that 67 percent of teen drivers "don't like" the idea (no kidding). Then again, when asked to factor in the possibility that MyKey might give them more chances behind the wheel, the "hate it" figure drops to 36 percent, according to Ford's survey.

OK, but are built-in speed limits for cars really a good idea? You could argue that all drivers need to be able to accelerate away from danger—especially if you're trying to pass a line of cars while facing oncoming traffic.

That said, I can't remember the last time I truly needed to speed beyond 80 mph, for any reason. And then there's this sobering statistic (PDF): More than 6,500 fatal car crashes last year involved drivers aged 15-20, while speeding was a factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes in 2007.
 
So, parents and teens … what do you think? Are set-in-stone speeding limits a good idea? What about the car radio and seat-belt restrictions? And for the teens: Would you accept a MyKey if it meant getting more chances to drive?

Related:
Ford feature will let parents set limits for teens [AP]

Comments on Ford "MyKey" keeps teen drivers under 80 mph

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  • 46 Posted by zolar89 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its a good idea! Why? I was 17 then 18 now. I'm a quadriplegic because of speeding. I was not the driver. If this was in effect last year, this wouldn't of happened. To everybody who disagrees think about the lives it could save or long term effects. The speed does need to be lowered to a maximum of 75 cause thats average speed limit of highways in the USA. The radio dosent need to be controlled. If they do find a way to get around it then o'well. When there in court being sued cause they accidently killed somebody or messed them up badly, then that will send a message to others.

  • 47 Posted by keirachelle@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I really like this idea. As a teenager I would most definitely get this device. It's annoying to hear peoples bass, when the music is so loud. Plus it really hurts my ears. Also I don't like it when people don't wear there seatbelts. I had a friend die from not wearing her seatbelt, so I think the chimes would work. So...I like it. Good work Ford!

  • 48 Posted by bluepyrochick09 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally, as a responsible teen driver, I can see the need for such restrictions on certain drivers, however, I would personally be appalled if my parents tried to restrict my speed and acceleration. The radio thing also bothers me. I have ADD and a loud radio allows me to concentrate on the road. If the stereo wasn't loud enough I would actually be more of a danger.

  • 49 Posted by jennifer_m_wright on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think this is a great idea! Teens like having their personal freedom with owning a car, understandable, as they should. I enjoyed mine, less than 10 short yrs ago. But they should also understand these safety features are only meant to be a benefit to them! No worries of needing hearing aids in their 30s, and the speeding restriction and seatbelt alarm features are helping to keep them alive to make it into their 30s. It's too bad so many are against the idea. They simply don't understand it's true value, at least not yet. But again, I feel this is an absolutely great idea! I actually wish I had the 'My Key' 10 yrs ago. It might have prevented the partial hearing loss I've already suffered from blasting the stereo during all my teenage years.

  • 50 Posted by aicmarc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    They should offer cars with this as a feature for EVERY driver and then provide cheaper insurance for it. Also, does it seem funny to everybody else that some of these people posting comments focus on the age of 21 (as if the age you become able to legally drink is some magical age where you get better at driving). I'm pretty sure that most of my friends got worse at driving at 21 for bad reasons. This idea is "GO".

  • 51 Posted by countryguy862000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    if it mae insurance go way down then its ok i guess. the elderly should either be banned from the road or have to get the same device also. fair is fair right? one has not enough experience and the other simply cant make reactions that well anymore. as to jennifer M Wright, u deserve partial hearing loss because you arent responsible to know what is too loud. dont forget about these sweet gov't programs too, it simply means 'hey im a retard, i cant manage my money and live above my means! here gov't u decide what to do with it" God bless the retarded american

  • 52 Posted by divine_275 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    yea right how would you feel when your best song is playing on the radio and you cant crank up the volume to sing along think about that as for the speed limit it is a waste of time most car crash happen way below 80mph and you dont have to be speeding for a car crash to be fatal i think it is just another market plan to get people to buy more ford cars for their teens. think about it people think and dont forget ford did not tell you how much this key thing would cost and as for the seat belt alam or alert most cars come with a system that beeps untill you but on your seat belt they should be talking about things that can save life like a system that will help teen brake and stop the car if they skid or lose control of the car not limiting their volume control.

  • 53 Posted by independentrebuildspecialist1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it is a great idea. Although either of my teens would agree I would rather have the constant little reminders in car when I not there to help with setting good habits.(hopefully) We live in different times and not for the better. I would not forgive myself if I ever got a dreadful call about either teen being in an accident. This may limit only a few hazards on the road, but what is the role of parents if we can say we tried everything we could to keep them safe. It may not be the save all, but for me it will be something I will look into.I would rather have them safer and complaining than not. NOw when are they coming out with something like a chip to use on any car?

  • 54 Posted by unknownuser4432 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think the idea is a great one... i mean im only 24 but i remember how i use to drive when i got my first car... the first thing i did was see how fast it went... restricting the speed on the car is a great idea... there is no need to go that fast anywhere... not even on the interstate... the idea of the radio only going half way up is good too... theres no need to have it blasting anyway... maybe ive just grown out of those kind of things, but i thing this is a really great idea... too bad its ford doing this and not chevorlet...

  • 55 Posted by wahathaway on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    bad idea.... Hate to remember how many times someone played with me when I was trying to pass.... Where I live, local highways are 70mph, interstate is 80mph.... governors have never been a good idea.... making them solid state doesn't make them any better.... what happens when it fails at the wrong time or you give someone the wrong key....

  • 56 Posted by flirty.bella on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally I think this is the stupidest thing in the world. This is yet another money making scam the the car makers. Did you need a teen key? No. Did your parents need a teen key? So why does your child need a teen key? My parents were parents and taught me right from wrong. Speeding is wrong, not wearing a seat belt is stupid and wrong. I think that adults need to step up and not palm off the teaching of their children on a magic key.

  • 57 Posted by cubs1st on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes these are intended to help teens out, but they should really do something about the middle aged drivers. they got into more fatal crashes yet teens have all the restrictions. There are laws passed on teens to prevent them from using cell phones. The law should also apply toi older drivers. They constantly are distracted by their cell phones. And they don't know how to turn. They consistently have improper lane changes that should guive them a ticket everyone. But the teens need to be punished. Nooooooooooope. And they are trying to change the driving age. What good will that do? If anything they need to reevaluate drivers every few years. There are some really bad middle-aged drivers.

  • 58 Posted by wrinkle818 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think this is a genius idea...im a teenager and i am thrilled with this...i really dont want to die cause some stupid teen thinks he/she can go 100 mph and rams into me...no matter how careful you drive you can still be hit even tho its not ur fault...but i think 80 mph is tooooo high...when do you EVER need to go 80?

  • 59 Posted by geezy_97 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's an interesting idea. I'm 18, and a certified mechanic :-) with vehicles' computer controls these days, you can restrict pretty much anything you want. top speed, acceleration, brake pressure, etc.as for driving "too" fast...idk about that. i used to make it a point to hit at least 95MPH each time i touched the freeway. BUT i wasn't that guy weaving in and out of traffic to do so.For me, a higher rate of speed forces me to concentrate more on my surroundings. (CA speed limits are 65)

  • 60 Posted by sweet_n_sassy_n_texas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sounds like a great idea. I wish that all cars had it. . better yet it was a key that someone could invent for all cars. My kids are grown but grandkids are coming up and I think it is wonderful

  • 61 Posted by dremblewedge on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm all for it for several reasons: Since this is new and going in new vehicles, it will only affect Rich kids whose Parents can afford to buy these vehicles. Let's face it, the kids with the new and fast cars are the ones who are going to show off their vehicle speeds for the most part. If you're a smart parent, buy your kid an old clucker that is lucky to even make 85mph - it will be self restricted by lack of performance availability. Plus they will learn humility, like I had to! (I've never owned a car less than ten years old...)

  • 62 Posted by jessicarussell122 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love it, I think it's a great idea that should spread to all models of cars. I wouldn't mind it on my car and I'm 23. Less speeding tickets, less car accidents, sounds good to me!

  • 63 Posted by unidentified221 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    This sounds like a noble idea, but God knows it will last about 30 secs, If they can put a Man on the moon, you can surely figure out how to stop the dinging seat belt feature, and get past this. Besides, whats to stop me from taking moms key and replacing it with mine?

  • 64 Posted by fentonkd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    here is an idea... why not have PARENTS teach their kids safety and how to obey the laws and rules of the road rather than rely on computer chips to do it for them. The more restrictions there are with this, the more the teenage driver is going to find a way around them... there are worse things in life that a parent would need to be concerned about with a teenager than how fast they are driving or how loud the music is....

  • 65 Posted by richsap on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    As has already been posted, you can tell the "adult" posters from the "children", not by what is said but how it is said. I'm for the idea, but how about another approach: A tax on parents with drivers in thier households under the age of, hmmmmm, 21? Use the additional funding to hire additional law enforcement to catch the "bad" kids in the act and fine accordingly. Nothing like losing a few hundred bucks for acting stupid to sober you up. Some might say this is unfair for all the "good" young drivers, but I say it is for the protection of ALL drivers, young or old, good or bad.

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