WTF: Ford’s Do Not Disturb Feature Helps Parents Prevent Distracted Driving

[import_nation]

Ford has just released the Do Not Disturb feature, a new technology that lets parents limit distracted driving habits teens are tempted with.
The new Ford MyKey Do Not Disturb feature allows parents to block their teens from receiving phone calls and text messages while driving. This means that young drivers can keep their eyes on the road instead of on their cell phones. The Do Not Disturb feature saves incoming calls and texts, so teens can check them after they stop the car.
This new Do Not Disturb feature adds another safety element to Ford’s programmable MyKey, which limit a vehicle’s top speed to 80mph and reduces the audio volume. Not only that, but this feature reminds drivers to use a seatbelt, provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be set to sound chimes between 45 and 70mph.
“MyKey adds a new dimension to auto safety by giving drivers standard technology that encourages safer driving and limits their exposure to risk, regardless of age or experience,” said Peter Patzelt, Ford system architect for MyKey. “MyKey can give parents peace of mind when they hand car keys over to their kids, and ‘Do Not Disturb’ enables parents to control another risk factor when their child gets behind the wheel.”
The MyKey function will be available next year on the Ford Fiesta, and will later be available on other Ford car models.










This is some controlling bullshit.

[whaap]

Yeah, it supports the theory that a large percentage of young drivers are inexperienced and stupid. It might even save some lives. The unfortunate part is those that are saved will never know it and thus never appreciate it.

[import_nation]

I honestly don't think this works.. Controlling the driver is not the key to make better drivers. A crappy driver is still a crappy driver. And young drivers are not all bad drivers. Just as much as old drivers are not always good drivers.

What I really think should be changed is how young drivers acquire their license. The testing should be 1000x more informative and strict.

[whaap]

You're right. It won't make them better drivers but it will make them safer drivers eliminating some of the stupid things that kids will do.

[rwdftw]

Yeah it allows a lot less distractions and forces them do many things that they prob dont do... and with the speed limiters atleast it will allow them to drive at a much lower rate of speed....


in a sense im kind of glad i didn have these keys when i was a kid! haha

[whaap]

Yeah it allows a lot less distractions and forces them do many things that they prob dont do... and with the speed limiters atleast it will allow them to drive at a much lower rate of speed....


in a sense im kind of glad i didn have these keys when i was a kid! haha

I can agree. I can also think of a couple wrecks I had that wouldn't have happened if I was forced to drive with this system.

[TrailDust]

It's just more of the Nanny State creeping into our lives, be it by government or a "concerned" business or industry. The thing that also gets me is the ad itself, with "Drive safe." Really, from a major corporation? So much for the proper spelling of an adverb. The dumbing down of America...it's disgusting.

Rant over.

[cfrp]

not a good technique in my books. Taking privileges away is not how you train people. You inform them and give them the right skills in the first place. If you don't trust young drivers with cars. Don't let young people drive then... Just raise the driving age higher...

There will still be problems. To be honest when I see accidents most of the time its just adults who are tired and weren't paying attention. Young people just go fast and kill themselves. They rarely kill other people... Only the real idiots who shouldn't have gotten a drivers license in the first place.