A Parent's Dream, A Kid's Nightmare

Ford's My Key Techology Will Help Parents Adjust Teens' Drving 

Here's something a teenage driver won't want to hear:  new technology will allow parents to monitor their drving without even being in the car.  

That's right.  Ford's new MyKey system lets parents pre-program a master key that sets various limits on the vehicle. Top speed settings can be limited, with warnings beeping at 70, 90 or 100kph. Failure to fasten seatbelts can also activate a chime and mute the audio system.

Right now, this technology will only be available in Europe with 2012 Ford Fiestas.  We'll see if it makes its way across the pond.  

"We feel MyKey would allow parents to tailor the vehicles performance to help their children drive more safely and more fuel efficiently without taking away their independence," said Pim van der Jagt, managing director of the company's Aachen research centre.

MyKey also reminds young drivers of low fuel levels sooner than would otherwise be the case.

Interesting stuff.  We'll see if technology like this pops up in the US.  If we hear, we'll let you know.