There is now a new, but positive, meaning to the phrase “back seat driver” thanks to Ford’s new automobile feature, MyKey. The MyKey system allows parents to program a car's keys to set a maximum speed of 80 mph, activate speed-alerts at 45, 55 and 65 mph, signal alerts to fasten seatbelts and limit the audio system's volume to a certain percent of its maximum. The idea is that parents will be able to rest a little easier once their teenagers begin driving. The feature will debut next summer when the 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups come out.
Since I received my license, I have witnessed numerous accidents caused by speeding. Speeding relates to anything from accelerating on the highway, to going 50 mph in a school zone. Drivers of all ages speed; the difference is that older drivers have more experience behind the wheel. I am in strong favor of the 80 mph limitation. No automobiles other than emergency vehicles and racecars should come close to or exceed 80-mph. In reality, the limitation would not affect 95% of someone’s daily driving. The speed alerts at 45, 55 and 65 mph are set for safety purposes only. Some people might argue that parents should trust their children more and not monitor them so closely. If my parents bought me a car, or let me drive their car, it is their right to set the rules and regulations on the car. I would rather be able to drive without a parent at a safe speed than have them drive with me everywhere.
All new drivers learn the importance of seatbelts. My driver’s ED teacher told us that seat belts could prevent 50% of the fatalities and serious injuries caused by car accidents. For that reason, I am also in favor of the seatbelt alert. Why would any driver of any age increase their chances of injuring themselves in a car accident? To buckle a seatbelt takes all of five seconds, and if for some reason the driver forgets, the annoying alert sound will quickly remind them.
I know when students read this they might think I am crazy, but I am also in favor of the audio system limitation. Anyone that currently drives now knows how easy it is to be caught up in a song while driving. I have seen people playing the air guitar and drums on their steering wheel at red lights or screaming lyrics out their window on the highway. Clearly, music can affect ones driving. A parent may also want to limit the volume for the car’s sake. If the driver exceeds the car’s stress limit, the speakers can blow out. This is just an extra cost for the owners of the car, who are most likely the parents.
The purpose of the MyKey is to keep drivers safe. Ford is not installing cameras for parents to watch their teens in the car or tracking devices so parents can know their every move. What new drivers have to realize is that if their parents bought them a 2010, brand new car, their parents can set the ground rules.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/biztech/10/06/ford.teen.drivers.ap/index.html
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4 comments:
I totally agree with the issues raised throughout this article. If parents are going to purchase a 2010 vehicle for their new, unexperienced teenager to drive, the parent should be able to enforce and set limits for the teen driver. Parents being able to enforce the use of seat belts, the speed limit, and stereo volume will allow a lot more parents to rest easy while their teen is driving and may actually reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents and deaths for teens.
I think it would be a great idea if many other types of cars began to use the "MyKey" software. This software is going to be keeping drivers safe and allowing parents to be more comfortable with their teenagers driving.
The "MyKey" software will most likely lower the extremely high costs of auto insurance for new drivers. Auto Insurance companies may feel teen drivers aren't as big as a big liability if they know there are controls and limits for the driver. The more controls and limits there are for younger drivers the better. Mandatory safety precautions will save lives.
One of the drawbacks of the "MyKey" software is that it is only available in a new vehicle. I know a lot of parents are reluctant to buy their new teen drivers a brand new car because of the statistics shown regarding the probability of an accident for a new driver. I think it would be a good idea if you were able to purchase the "MyKey" software and install it in any car that you have. That way, parents will be able to enforce rules and limits for their teen driver without having to invest in a brand new car.
I completely agree with both of you. The two issues I see here, are that it is only available to limited types of only new cars, and that there is no structure (currently at least) for it to directly lower insurance costs. While I believe a company will come out with a system to add onto an existing used car, it will take some time for prices to go down. I believe that in order for this idea to fully take off and succeed, cooperation is needed between car companies and insurance agencies to setup predetermined savings rates on cars that have these systems. In this way, more companies will begin to produce cars with "MyKey" to compete with the increase demand from parents who know they're going to save money.
I would, however, like to see the limit of 80 mph be lowered even more, say to 74 mph. Especially for a young driver, there is no need to ever go over 9 mph (or 2 points on your license) faster than the highest speed limit possible of 65mph.
Finally, one other small benefit of lower speeds is less gas being used.
I agree with each of the previous blog posts. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death, and are usually preventable. With the installation of the new “MyKey” software, I believe that we will be able to reduce the rate of unnecessary accidents. I fully support the 80 mph maximum speed limit, and think that it is unnecessary for drivers to drive above that speed. I think that a lot of new drivers abuse the fact that they are free to drive on their own, and are free to go as fast as their car will allow them to. In my opinion, the “MyKey” software is the perfect amount of parental supervision needed in an automobile. It does not give parents the right to watch their child’s every move, or follow them through a tracking device, but allows the parent to know that their child is under a little more control and not abusing their privilege to drive.
Just to play devil's advocate, I disagree. Responsible teens = responsible drivers. Irresponsible teens = irresponsible drivers. If you don't trust your kid to obey the rules, then don't give him or her the keys. Scenario #1 - A new driver complains to friends about how his mom installed this "stupid program" on his key and he can't drive fast. Friend 1 says, "so what, lets see what this baby can do!" Scenario #2- a new driver is fed up with his bogus key and starts stealing his mom's key so he can continue his immature endeavors. The MyKey system is a great idea, but we'll see the results once it's implemented.
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