New technology designed to help parents encourage safe driving habits

By Staff Writer

Automaker Ford recently announced that it has upgraded a popular feature to help parents limit unsafe driving habits among their problem teens.

The MyKey feature, which accompanies many of Ford's vehicles, will soon include technology that allows adults to block explicit satellite radio programming while their kids are driving. In addition, the new version of MyKey will allow parents to limit a vehicle's top speed at four different settings - 65, 70, 75 or 80 miles per hour.

A poll by Penn Schoen and Berland shows that 85 percent of parents who have teen drivers support a speed-limiting feature, while approximately 60 percent approve of the technology that blocks adult programming. The new MyKey is set to debut on the Taurus and Explorer models in 2011.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 15 and 19, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age bracket.

Teens who are unsafe drivers could benefit from tough love. Frustrated parents may consider taking their driving privileges away or installing a feature that is similar to Ford's MyKey.