Comments on: Ford's key-with-a-chip to control teen drivers

Programmable key allows parents to limit a car's maximum speed, keep the stereo down, remind the driver to fasten the seatbelt, and warn about a low fuel tank.

[neo2028]

It is absurd to think that playing an annoying chime or limiting the stereo volume will promote safer driving. It all comes down to the maturity and experience of the driver. Quite simply, just because a kid has turned 16 doesn't imply that they are ready for the responsibilities of driving (though conversely, it does not automatically imply immaturity either).

I fear that this kind of technology will become a substitute that many parents will use instead of teaching their teen responsible driving skills. The aspect that makes teen drivers most risky is the fact that they lack the experience of seasoned drivers. Forget the stereotypical image of teenagers that you see plastered all over TV. By and large, this is no more representative of the average teenager than a campaign speech is of how a politician will act if elected to office.

When you get cut off in traffic, there is just as good a chance that the driver will be an adult as a teen. Kids see their parents driving while distracted and tend to emulate that behavior. Unfortunately, they lack the experience their parents have, thus making distracted driving more dangerous. If we are determined to help teens learn safe driving skills, we should take a look at our own hypocrisy when it comes to responsible driving.

[drivesafe]

I find it amusing that what I wrote above got two responses about speeding and it's ok to do? . The topic is how Ford is going to come out with a key to keep the car from going any faster then 80. My response was that you don't need this chip in your key to have the speed controlled in your vehicle. EVERY VEHICLE has a speed governor, that can be turned down to a reasonable speed.
Now for my response to these two people: Dalkorian speeding IS STUPID! You stated "Speed doesn't kill, being stupid does. There is a difference." Well you are so wrong. If you do your homework you will find that 30% of crashes are caused because the person was SPEEDING! Stupid is speeding. Being stupid at a lower speed you can get control of your vehicle... Stupid at a high rate of speed and no control over your vehicle is death!!
This kind of comment is made by ignorance of people who think they have to do 90 to get where they need to! What are you going to do when they pass the bill to turn ALL SPEED LIMITS down to 55? It's coming because of gas prices... I know these bills are being sponsored as we speak! So get used to going slower!
as for BenFlavoredCandy as stated above. Things will be changing. Speed limits will be reduced!
And the real issue is here that people need to start driving safer! Not just teens. I stated in reply to someone on here that yes we as parents need to instill proper driving habits but how can these kids learn proper driving when their parents are driving like maniacs? Do as I say not as I do?? You can say just so much to kids but when they get that freedom and see soccer mom driving and speed demon dad flying down the road what do you think they are going to do? Remember what mom and pop said or what they do?
The issue here is to keep these kids safe and passing the bill to higher the age to get a license is what needs to be done! 15-16 is way to young to be on the roads!!
Once again I reiterate there is NO NEED for this " SPECIAL KEY AND CHIP" every vehicle has a speed governor that can be turned down to a reasonable speed!

[Lerianis]

drivesafe, Dalkorian is right. The fact is that whether you are at a low rate of speed, or a high rate of speed, if you are in a crash your chance of being killed is actually the same from crash to crash, according to the NTSA.
It only APPEARS to be that you are more likely to die in a crash where your speed is high because those crashes are usually SLIGHTLY more severe than crashes at lower speeds. Add to that, most people dying in crashes die because of heart attacks or shock (not traumatic injury) and you realize that limiting speeds is not going to do ANYTHING to make the roads safer.
Also, 15-16 is NOT too young to be on the roads IF YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO DRIVE BEFORE THAT AGE! My parents started teaching me how to drive when I was 3 when I got my first Power Wheels vehicle.

Also, most teenagers are in more danger of being CRASHED INTO than crashing into someone else, coming from investigations done in my country. Even when speed was a factor, most times another car crashed into the teens car and the OTHER car was at fault, not the teens.

[Muhammad I.]

I would hate if my parents tried something stupid like this on me. I'd just run over the key with my car.

[z1221]

I find it funny. Here this thing limits the speed to 80. I got my first car almost a year ago and I can barely get it to go 60. By the way, it is a Ford product.

[duthedu22]

This is ridiculous, before they make this, they should realize what kind of driving teens normally do. As I was one not too many years ago, we'd drive around the town, not on the the freeway. How is limiting us to eight miles an hour any safer? Driving 80 in the city is just as dangerous as 90. I guess for the few times that we did drive on the freeway where it was physically impossible to go higher than 80 due to traffic, it might help.

And a chime when the gas is running low? My 2003 Volkswagen does that. I believe that fancy piece of technology is named "low gas alert" in my owner's manual. Way to think ahead of the curve, Ford.

[dwend]

A better way to get your teen to drive safer would be to have them attend a driving school such as TireRack's Street Survival program. If your Son/daughter is a "racer" maybe they need to look into SCCA Groups. Most likely there is one near you. Attending a autocross, which is a car-control event, would be a great way for a person of any age to relive any racing urges in a safe and legal environment.

Limiting the top speed to 80 is not going to prevent anything other than making the teen angry. Most likely causing them to crash on purpose just to get a new car. It can also be dangerous to limit the power, in some cases it is necessary to use all the car's power. Such as getting on a short on-ram where the traffic on the highway is going over 65mph. I have been in a situation in NC on Hwy 77 where all the cars in moderate city traffic were going over 95 mph.

Just cause the car can only go 80mph doesn't mean it can handle a 25mph 90degree corner at 65mph. Most teen collision, in the area I live, are related to turns or not being able to stop quick enough. If you want you teen to be safer, then get them a sportier car instead of a little eco-box that has bottle caps as brakes. May be automakers should be putting big brake kits, handling packages, and better tires on their car's. Then they will stop quicker, handle better and have more grip. But leaving the horsepower the same will mean they "should" be going the same speed as a normal car.

And with the seat belt alarm, shouldn't it buzz until the seat belt is put on instead of 6sec every 5min!

[dexether]

grats to ford for just now taking advantage of technology that has existed for almost 50 years now