SORRY, kids - thanks to Ford, your parents will have more say than ever over your driving habits, even when they're not in the car.
The company's MyKey feature - which debuted as standard equipment on the 2010 Ford Focus and is now standard on nearly all Ford and Lincoln models - allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle's top speed and audio volume.
MyKey also encourages safety-belt use, provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be programmed to sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 mph.
Now Ford is adding a new feature to the MyKey technology to block incoming phone calls and deter text messages while teens are behind the wheel.
The Do Not Disturb feature, which is available on all 2011 vehicles featuring SYNC with MyFord Touch, will now be available as a feature parents can control through MyKey beginning with the new Explorer in early 2012.
When hooked up to SYNC, this new feature blocks incoming phone calls or text messages from a Bluetooth paired mobile phone, diverting calls into voicemail and saving text messages on the device for viewing later.
But unlike turning the phone off, drivers can still make voice-activated outgoing phone calls and the SYNC 911 Assist feature can make a call in case of emergency.
Distracted driving is of particular concern as it relates to young, inexperienced drivers, and the Do Not Disturb feature helps parents control another accident risk factor when their child gets behind the wheel.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently sponsored large-scale, long duration, naturalistic driving research that helps to better understand driver distraction in the real world. Multiple studies repeatedly found that it is primarily looking away from the road that is highly associated with distraction-related crash and near-crash involvement.
Sync's SYNC voice system reduces distraction risk by allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road when they judge driving demands are low and decide they can safely do other things.
Novice teen drivers are on a steep learning curve and do not yet have the adult levels of skill needed to control the vehicle, detect hazards and assess driving situations. The MyKey Do Not Disturb feature is an option that parents will have to set limits on their teen while driving in order to promote a focus on learning safe driving skills and habits.
The MyKey system allows parents to program any key through the vehicle message centre. Along with the added Do Not Disturb feature, MyKey features include:
- A top speed of 100, 110, 120, 130 km/h (65, 70, 75 or 80 mph).
- "No belts, no tunes" feature that mutes audio system until front occupants buckle up.
- The ability to block satellite radio channels carrying adult programming.
- Volume control that can limit the audio system to 44 per cent of maximum output.
- Traction control system cannot be deactivated.
- A speed chime alert at 75, 90, 105 km/h (45, 55 or 65 mph).
- Early low-fuel warning beginning at 120 km (75 miles) until empty.
