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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  • 6 Posted by alpyne2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm in favor of it being available, even if I only ever give the Kidz key to parking attendants. I've owned cars that couldn't go faster than 80 MPH regardless of what key was used. This is a reasonable limit when highway use is a possibility. The in-car alerts at 45, 55, or 65 MPH might represent a challenge to some kids (how long can you drive with the buzzer on?), but combined with monitoring (on the Internet via GPS?) would be useful for many families.

  • 7 Posted by brianroconnor@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    i never drive above 80. the music restriction would be sad :( because i like loud music. and also, i always wear my seatbelt/make people wear their seatbelt. and i have my own car that i can drive whenever, so i wouldn't want this. i'm 16 btw.

  • 8 Posted by somebodys_here on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    What about the highways in some parts of Texas? The speed limits are (really) 80MPH. That's a bit of a restriction, isn't it?

  • 9 Posted by noteasy2bme on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wouldn't the easiest way for a teen to get around this whole "MyKey" restriction, be jus to go to a hardware store and get a copy of the key made?!?!

  • 10 Posted by daninperth on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wonder what kind of waivers are attached to the sale of this key. Probably a good one. This is the land of law suits and it's only a matter of time before for some reason the fact that someone could not go as fast as they might otherwise have opens up an opportunity to claim. Preposterous? Take a look at what flies in court these days.

  • 11 Posted by nathanialreed on Tue Oct 7, 2008 4:03AM EDT Report Abuse

    there are 3 problems with this whole idea that make it a waste of time and money 1 kids would not need to cut any wires or get new keys made kids today are smart and know their way around computers, cars, and the web. add this up and some kid with find a hack in days, and the parents will never be able to tell anything had been done 2 it sets a double standard, the kids have to have a car with all these rules but parents don't, its not like being a parent makes you a better driver, there are just as many bad adult drivers as kid drives 3 this does try to handle some issues but it leave a big problem out drinking and driving, which kills far to many people every year btw i 26 with no kids yet

  • 12 Posted by scubadmike on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    LIKE THE IDEA !!!Teens & some adults drive to fast ex. on 95 in Florida the speed is set to fast & people go beond that point !! They dont think they are driving a 2 ton bullet.... {MIKE WALSH}

  • 13 Posted by thesatsui on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    The best way to learn not to speed is simply experience. Once those kids get pulled over, they probably will watch their speed.

  • 14 Posted by lse940 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally, I love the "My Key" idea. My son just recently started driving and because it is my vehicle, he has to abide by my rules when driving. No speeding, no loud music, no cell phone while driving, definitely no text messaging while driving!!. Can you make one that will keep them from drinking while driving and keep his/her passenger friends from doing the same. Thanks, I Love it. Where can I get one for my Ford Escape?

  • 15 Posted by jupu22 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is just another way for corporate america to regulate and "SPY" our lives.

  • 16 Posted by erikowald on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    it's almost disturbing how we are slowly turning into a government controlled, socialist country... one day we're simply gonna love the idea of socialism as we are slowly loving ideas like these. I say Ford has gone to far

  • 17 Posted by lilycooper3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is insane. Why would you pay to have that stuff in your car if teens can get around it? Bc you know as soon as that system is on the streets, we're gonna find a way to cheat it. I think its more of the fact that now you wouldn't have a choice. Its like your parent telling you they dont trust you. Besides, its just another way for teens to rebel against parents. You get this car that doesn't let you listen to your music at the volume you want, so now you have to find a way to do it anyway. Its never gonna last.

  • 18 Posted by kristantilley_avon on Tue Oct 7, 2008 10:46AM EDT Report Abuse

    I totally agree with the new design! I think it's fantastic. If it saves 1 teenage life from leaving this world too early then it's done it's job in my opinion. As for teenagers getting around it by cutting the wires; I would have to agree with brighamg5. I know my son (who is turning 15 in December) has been raised to respect my property, his property & other people's property. So if he cut the wires to avoid the "nagging" then he would lose his driving PRIVILEDGES. Because that is what they are, PRIVILEDGES, not God given rights.

  • 19 Posted by r_colyer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    The main "problem" with younger drivers is inexperience and this is not their fault. They simply do not have the experience necessary for driving at excessive speeds and while distracted. Controlling the speed to some degree and the radio volume is a good idea. Also, forcing seat belt usage can only save lives. Personally, I'd like to see the seatbelt integrated with the ignition so that the car can't be started if the seatbelt isn't buckled. People are always complaining about "loss of freedom", but it's better than loss of life.

  • 20 Posted by ric3_stix on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    If kids want to drive in the first place they should have to show maturance in everyday life in order to drive 2 tons of metal. I wouldn't buy one of those things for my kid. I have enough faith that my child knows what she is doing if she's going to be getting her permit or license. And if she doesn't respect that driving is a PRIVELEDGE and not a RIGHT, then she can't drive as long as she's underage in my house.

  • 22 Posted by vincewood30 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I say that we raise the minimum driving age from 16 to 21. It would prevent 6,500 fatel crashes a year. Teenagers nowwa days only know 1 speed and that is put it to the floor. Also I think that teenagers between 16-18 shouldn't have any one else in the car with them under 25 years of age. Kids are either out wrecking cars or getting knocked up these days.

  • 23 Posted by stephiegal_007 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its a great idea. Nobody needs to go any faster than 80mph anyhow. Teenager or Adult.

  • 24 Posted by poslimpbizkit on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow...If i was a kid...i would be so pissed out haha thank god I'm 21. I love this new feature since it doesn't involve me, but sales will be down because of that and no one will want the car unless the parents makes them buy it. No kid will ever want to drive any of those cars with those restrictions with the key.

  • 25 Posted by duane.engel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is a computer key - you cannot simply get another key made at the local hardware store, so those arguments are moot. I'll bet I could guess the ages of most of the respondents here . . . partly because of their "less than intelligent" arguments, and partly because "it's not fair."

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