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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  • 86 Posted by alsumrall2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Good idea, but makes too much sense. Although I believe in the Darwin effect and have know many teens that were bound and determined to destroy as many cars as possible, anything to protect other drivers from cretins be they juvenile or adults who can't normally drive under 80 is welcome. Frankly, no one ever needs to drive over eighty. If you want to go faster than than that you need to buy a plane. Your average, normal teen will respect the limitation, might even appreciate it, a lot of speeding by youngsters is unintentional, they just don't pay attention to the speedometer. Darwin award candidates will find ways around it, but overall, it will save a few young lives.

  • 87 Posted by ion6543210 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with rcdealtime. I grew up in Germany where you can drive over 100 mph on some areas of the highway (and the driving age is 18). The difference is drivers are more experienced (not to mention less distracted). It's so cheap and easy to get a license here that most people aren't experienced because they don't get adequate training, and it's so easy to fudge a driving test. Teens don't need a special key to remind them to drive safely they need real driver's ed.

  • 88 Posted by autumn.laughbaum on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Middlenamefrank, you are what is wrong with America. Restricting freedoms is never a "necessary evil". More laws that concern "victimless crime" are just restricting freedom. If you are stupid enough to not wear a helmet, seatbelt, or drive too fast for your ability, you deserve what is coming. It's called "natural selection".

  • 89 Posted by clarensmentor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think its a great idea im 25 and i have a little brother thats 19 he thinks that the speed limit is whatever his doing i just dont agree with the volume thing overall someone is thinking

  • 90 Posted by ion6543210 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't want to know how much a key like this will cost... Ford will charge over $100 for a plain 3 button lock/unlock/panic remote.

  • 91 Posted by sleepris on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is for parents who dont trust their kids

  • 93 Posted by puertorock_papi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Am I the only one who actually can comprehend the article? The MYKEY feature is not Ford deciding what is best for your kids, it's a tool provided by ford for parents to decide what is best. It's the owner of the car who will decide what restrictions whether it be loud music, speeding over 80, seat betls etc etc. I'm sure the system will allow the parent aka owner of the vehicle to decide what is considered too loud or too fast. This is a tool for parenting and like all tools it is nothing more of a choice. and LMAO at anyone that says that they need to go 80MPH. Fire Trucks and ambulances rarely go 80 MPH what makes any of you think you have that right.

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

    I'm a teen and I think this whole idea is okay. There are some crazy drivers out there who need it, but i do not like the idea of the radio not being able to get blasted. I for instance love that feature of my car and my parents don't. I would hate for them to be able to change that at all.

  • 95 Posted by puertorock_papi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Am I the only one who actually can comprehend the article? The MYKEY feature is not Ford deciding what is best for your kids, it's a tool provided by ford for parents to decide what is best. It's the owner of the car who will decide what restrictions whether it be loud music, speeding over 80, seat betls etc etc. I'm sure the system will allow the parent aka owner of the vehicle to decide what is considered too loud or too fast. This is a tool for parenting and like all tools it is nothing more of a choice. and LMAO at anyone that says that they need to go 80MPH. Fire Trucks and ambulances rarely go 80 MPH what makes any of you think you have that right.

  • 96 Posted by manicmazda on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think a technology should come around soon where every car is hooked to gps that is linked to some sort of speed monitoring... example: youre on a road that has a speed limit of 25mph and the gps knows you are on this road so it tells your car to max the speed at 25-30mph. It'll happen.

  • 97 Posted by shadburroughs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    three years from now my kid is old enough for a drivers license she will have been operating a motor vehicle on her own for more than half of her life. she has had the opportunity learn from experience that not following the rules and being distracted... hurts. I have total trust in her to drive intelligently and responsibily. It breaks my heart that other parents do not have that and thus this technology is needed. sadly this will only increase problems later because kids will not learn to drive responsibly, but be forced to??? and what will happen when mom hands them the gofast key???

  • 98 Posted by rondadickerson62 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    i understand the speeding idea and the seatbelts and what have you but whats wrong with loud music if its not hurting others then it shouldnt matter

  • 99 Posted by annefquinlan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    GREAT IDEA IF TEENS CAN'T FIND A WAY AROUND IT. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE VOLUME CONTROL

  • 100 Posted by whizer2008 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its a great idea. For all of you parents saying that you trust your children because you have seen how they drive, chew on this.... When you were driving with your parents didnt you abide by all the laws more closely than when you were without them? Because I know i sure did.This is nowhere near a loss of freedom. When they become of the age that they are mature enough they can get the real key.

  • 101 Posted by whizer2008 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Id like to add something else as well... As i firefighter i see way too many people (usually kids) who have their music up way too loud thus not hearing the sirens as they approach. Get real people.

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