Ford has announced the MyKey system that helps parents ensure that teens drive safer.
Ford's new MyKey system allows parents to limit the speed and audio volume of their teen's car to make them drive safer. The system will debut as standard equipment on the 2010 Ford Focus and will eventually be added to other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models.
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD’S NEW MYKEY SYSTEM HELPS TEENS DRIVE SAFER, CONSERVE FUEL; GIVES PARENTS PEACE OF MIND
- MyKeyTM, another innovation from the company that introduced SYNC®, allows parents to limit speed and audio volume to encourage teens to drive safer and improve fuel efficiency.
- Harris Interactive Survey shows that many parents would allow teens to drive more often if their vehicle was equipped with MyKey – helping young drivers build road safety experience.
- MyKey will debut as a standard feature next year on the 2010 Ford Focus and will quickly be offered on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models.
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6, 2008 – Ford Motor Company is introducing an innovative new technology – called MyKey – designed to help parents encourage their teen-agers to drive safer and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety-belt usage.
Ford’s MyKey feature – which debuts next year as standard equipment on the 2010 Ford Focus and will quickly become standard on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models – allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume. MyKey also encourages safety-belt usage, provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be programmed to sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 miles per hour.
“Ford not only offers industry-leading crash protection and crash avoidance systems, we also are committed to developing new technologies such as MyKey that encourage safer driving behavior,” said Susan Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “MyKey can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions.”
MyKey is appealing to parents of teen drivers, including 75 percent who like the speed-limiting feature, 72 percent who like the more insistent safety-belt reminder, and 63 percent who like the audio limit feature, according to a recent Harris Interactive Survey conducted for Ford.
About 50 percent of those who would consider purchasing MyKey also said they would allow their children to use the family vehicle more often if it were equipped with the new technology. The added seat time can help teens build their driving skills in a more controlled setting, complementing graduated licensing laws that give young drivers more driving freedom as they get older.
More than half of parents surveyed worry that their teen-age children are driving at unsafe speeds, talking on hand-held cell phones or texting while driving, or otherwise driving distracted. More than a third of parents also are concerned that their teens do not always buckle their safety belts when driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teens are more likely to take risks such as speeding – a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. Teens also are less likely to wear safety belts than older drivers.
Teens surveyed by Harris said they are largely open to MyKey if it means they will have more freedom to drive. Initially, 67 percent of teens polled said they wouldn’t want MyKey features. However, if using MyKey would lead to greater driving privileges, only 36 percent would object to the technology.
“We’ve upgraded an existing, proven technology – the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system – with some simple software upgrades to develop a new unique feature that we believe will resonate with customers,” said Jim Buczkowski, director, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering – the same team that developed SYNC in partnership with Microsoft. “We also developed MyKey’s functions in such a way to quickly spread it across multiple vehicle lines, giving us the ability to go mass market in the spirit of other Ford innovations such as safety belts, stability control and SYNC.”
Holding the key
The MyKey system allows the parent to program any key through the vehicle message center, which updates the SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system. When the MyKey is inserted into the ignition, the system reads the transponder chip in the key and immediately identifies the MyKey code, which enables certain default driving modes, including:
- Persistent Ford Beltminder™ with audio mute. Ford’s Beltminder system typically provides a six-second reminder chime every minute for five minutes. With MyKey, the Beltminder chime continues at the regular interval and the audio system is muted until the safety belt is buckled. A message center display “Buckle Up to Unmute Radio” also appears on the instrument cluster.
- Earlier low-fuel warning. Rather than a warning at 50 miles to empty, MyKey provides a warning at 75 miles to empty.
- If MyKey is in the ignition, features such as Park Aid and BLISTM (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert cannot be deactivated.
Additional MyKey features that can be programmed through the vehicle’s message center setup menu:
- Limited top speed of 80 mph
- Traction control system, that limits tire spin, cannot be deactivated
- Limited audio volume to 44 percent of total volume
- A speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65 mph
Using MyKey to teach teens to avoid speeding can provide an added benefit – improved fuel economy. Ford research shows that driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph consumes 15 percent less fuel, and mastering other eco-driving habits such as avoiding jackrabbit starts and excessive idling can help improve fuel economy by more than 50 percent.
Safety is the key
MyKey is just one way that Ford is helping teens drive more safely. Ford Motor Company Fund’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program helps young motorists master four critical driving skills – hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management, and speed management – that help address the majority of dangerous driving conditions. More than 3,000 teens have participated in DSFL ride-and-drive events. And more than 500,000 people have used the training course since 2003 on www.drivingskillsforlife.com.
Comments (25)
Here is a crazy idea, how about instead of tracking your kids by GPS on their cell phone to notify you when they are out of the area you set for them, using a key to set the alloted volume of the radio and top speed limit you TEACH your kids to go where they say they are going, make responcible decisions on their own and go a reasonable speed. Its no wonder we are in a position where CEO's dont know right from wrong, they do what they can get away with! The next generation will be worse! Just teach your kids right from wrong!
Posted by Brad | October 7, 2008 9:24 PM
Posted on October 7, 2008 21:24
@Brad:
Yeah, because we know all kids listen to their parents.... Even well behaved kids with proper upbringing, good morals, good peers, etc can have a tendency to speed or crank up the radio too much. Hell, the less we have to listen to teenie bopper music blasting from subcompacts, the better off we all are. Haven't you ever seen those murder investigation shows that have kids who were "so well behaved and nice" blasting other kids heads off and other worse things??
I see this more as protection for me from them than protecting teenagers from themselves.
Posted by Gary | October 7, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on October 7, 2008 22:03
Just give the kid a P.O.S. that cant go faster than 80mph and would over heat if driven further than 50 miles. Problem solved.
Posted by Jorge | October 7, 2008 11:00 PM
Posted on October 7, 2008 23:00
Hehe... Traction Control on the Ford Focus... I just couldn't see some badass teen attempting to burn out his mother's Focus... goodness, what has this world come to?
They ought to just put it on all vehicles, including Mustang GTs... I've seen too many college fools peeling out at their campus and almost spinning out... sometimes they spin tires because they bought crappy tires so they can "drift" around telephone poles.
Anyway, it is a good idea. I was brought up in a Christian home, with good morals and values, and I am a "spirited" driver... all that tight upbringing makes for a loose goose when you're free...
Ah well... it is a good idea. If it prevents any damage, it'll be well spent. The muted radio if your seatbelt isn't buckled is genius.
Posted by Joan of Arc | October 7, 2008 11:38 PM
Posted on October 7, 2008 23:38
And this is the crap that keeps making cars more expensive.
Good god, people are idiots.
When the hell did a car stop being a car?
And where can I buy just a car?
This is approaching cell phone levels of worthlessly added value.
My kids will have the same lesson that was applied to me. One ticket, and no car. Now, that was easy.
Posted by Brian | October 8, 2008 12:28 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 00:28
Will Big Brother please stand up?
Posted by Dan | October 8, 2008 3:54 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 03:54
Son, you are finally getting your own car...
Yay!
... and it's a Ford.
Nooooooo!
Posted by Mr Future | October 8, 2008 5:00 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 05:00
Maybe the car will also email or text you when you child breaks a law and momma Ford Focus grounds the child...just in case you were too busy doing other things. We allow television and schools to teach our kids everything they should know, why not let their cars monitor and watch what they are doing when driving?
80mph? Last time I checked, highway speed limits on most interstates are 70-75...
That just means they can drive fast through populated neighborhoods with 30-45mph limits. Be a parent, be responsible for what your own child does, don't leave it up to a magical ignition.
Posted by rubix_1011 | October 8, 2008 6:01 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 06:01
I am going to play it safe and assume most of the commenters on this post either do not have teenage kids, are kids, or have no kids.
Please note, just because you can preach and talk to and blah blah blah to your kids doesn't mean they will always listen to you especially when they get some of their friends in the car.
I would further this technology and allow you to limit the more items in the car. I would go further in customizing the max speed limit and further use GPS technology to determine what the posted speed limit is at the street level to inform the driver that they are exceeding the speed limit.
As to the comment made about when did cars stop being cars, well they haven't. Cars are faster than ever.
Car manufactures seem to think we all need cars that go 150+ mph when we only need a car that tops 85.
I am for more saftey technology in a car as possible. It doesn't mean we dont' teach proper driving techquies, it just means we have added safety just in case.
Posted by Andrew | October 8, 2008 7:01 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 07:01
I would further this as Andrew said.
Personally, I will also say that kids should not be allowed to drive without an adult until 18+ and their first car should be no bigger than 1.6 stick shift. That’s my house rules, no negotiation and no acceptations.
I do however support any motor sport activity (go-carting, mx, etc.) to satisfy the need-for-speed syndrome that I and my kids have.
Posted by john | October 8, 2008 8:29 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 08:29
well now im going to have to drive at least 80 in the street so i can feel exhilarated, im going to stay off the freeway cause 80 is my cruising speed
Posted by cobaltssman | October 8, 2008 8:35 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 08:35
The tighter you hold, the more they will slip through your fingers.
Posted by nine | October 8, 2008 8:57 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 08:57
Thats right because people can't get killed going 80mph. It starts early, responsibility, responsibility responsibility. You treat em like kids thats how they will behave. We're all making the asumption that all of their friends have cars with this technology and they won't just all do the park and ride.
I've long since learned that if you attempt to make something idiot proof they'll simply make a better idiot. Teach your kids early how to make intelligent 'adult' decisions and you won't have to worry about their every step. It's the same reason why we feel compelled for our children to have cell phones. When I was younger and you left the house I stayed exactly where I siad i'd be or there'd be hell to pay if for ANY reason i wasn't there.
I'm guessing all the people who agree to this are the same people who think its ok to have cameras enforce the speed limit in places like Arizona?
Posted by JuTu | October 8, 2008 11:00 AM
Posted on October 8, 2008 11:00
""john:
Personally, I will also say that kids should not be allowed to drive without an adult until 18+ and their first car should be no bigger than 1.6 stick shift. That’s my house rules, nonegotiation and no acceptations. ""
1.6L stick shift? Sign your kids up for a MINI Cooper S... tons of speed and handling bound to kill any new drivers. Unless you're talking about Yaris... oh dear.. poor chaps, but smart decision...
Stay away from the Cooper.
Posted by Joan of Arc | October 8, 2008 12:41 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 12:41
@JuTu
You miss the point completely... We are no longer in a time where your neighbor would rat your kid out, we are in a time where in a split second a life altering event can occur.
There is a reason why cars have seat belts and air bags.. Sure we can all go back to the "good old days" when 1900's cars went about 10 mph but we cannot. You are required to teach your kid right from wrong, this is the same concept as the air bags, just because you have air bags doesn't mean you cannot wear seat belts.
You do not have to purchase this car, but I hope this becomes a standard on all cars in the future... If the car you have now ends up being your last car the problem solved.
You can call parents over protective but in the end once you have a kid of your own you might understand and if you don't.. God help your kid....
Posted by Andrew | October 8, 2008 12:56 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 12:56
It's a free market. As long as it's not mandated or anything like that. I should be able to buy a car without this junk if I want to.
Unless you're willing to pay for it for me, so I can promptly rip it out and hawk it on ebay.
Contrary to the totalitarian socialists that frequent this website, economics is about what we WANT and can afford *not* what *you* think people NEED.
Posted by Chris | October 8, 2008 12:58 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 12:58
What happened to 'you want a car? get a job, buy your own'. I'm a parent, too.
Posted by wvo | October 8, 2008 1:02 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 13:02
Perhaps next we should affix restricting plates to their mouths to keep them from eating too much. Locks on shower stalls that open only when behind the ears are clean. Attractive wrist bracelets that administer tiny electric jolts when parent predetermined boundaries are exceeded.
Responsibility is simply too dangerous for todays young adults. In addition responsibility should be banned. With the use of modern technology and a little creativity relief of all responsibility could be practical alternative.
This ban would also protect parents who risk the chance of being accused of substandard parenting.
extreme socialism is safer
I want my rfid chip implanted at the back of my head instead of my hind quarters. This way i will look intelligent when i scratch it.
Posted by Sarcastic Smurf | October 8, 2008 2:00 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 14:00
Seeing things like iPhones were hacked within days of being launched, how long will it take the kids to work their way around it this and have it plastered all over the net within days of its release?
Posted by Peanut | October 8, 2008 2:47 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 14:47
You are required to teach your kid right from wrong, this is the same concept as the air bags, just because you have air bags doesn't mean you cannot wear seat belts.
God help YOUR kids.
Posted by nine | October 8, 2008 2:52 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 14:52
As an 18yr old and a huge fan of Ford, this really bites man!!!*.*
Posted by Saheed | October 8, 2008 5:17 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 17:17
All they have to do is secretly swap keys with their parents who would never notice anyways.
Posted by Tom T | October 8, 2008 7:41 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 19:41
well this really ensures that a whole generation will skip Ford (for other than the usual reasons).
We now just have to wait till the other morons in Detroit will up Ford by one: installing a sprinkler inside the car to stop smoking.
Wait, wait, didnt Landrover have a grass detector?
Posted by lowest iq | October 9, 2008 12:47 AM
Posted on October 9, 2008 00:47
Hey ifthe kids can't deal with their parents setting their own cars, then they need to go out and buy their own damn cars. I think this is agood idea.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | October 9, 2008 4:12 AM
Posted on October 9, 2008 04:12
All drivers 25 and under should have this, bunch of little punks.
Posted by zippy | October 9, 2008 4:55 AM
Posted on October 9, 2008 04:55